Sonari Manjhi,18, has passed the Bihar board Class 10 examination in second division. Yet, he is on cloud nine.
He has reasons to be. When the results were announced on Thursday, he became the first to successfully complete matriculation in the more than 100-year-old Dalit hamlet, comprising 50-odd households in Vithalpur village of Maoist-hit Jamui district, 196 kms southeast of Patna,
Vouching for Manjhi’s unique achievement, 102-year-old Adhiklal Rajhans, who was born in this hamlet, said: “By being the first to complete his matriculation from our hamlet, he (Manjhi) has kindled the flame of education among the youth in the hamlet, soaked in abject poverty and deprivation.”
Happy with his achievement, Manjhi, said his journey was not easy and full of struggle.
“The condition of my house was very bad. I realised that without education nothing will change. People in the hamlet did not have faith in me and called my endeavour a sheer waste of time. As I am short in height, I even had to face nasty comments. But I continued with my studies and today everyone is appreciating my success,” he said.
Manjhi credits his teacher Ravindra Mishra for his success.
{{/usCountry}}Manjhi credits his teacher Ravindra Mishra for his success.
{{/usCountry}}“Without him, it would have remained a dream. He not only encouraged and taught me, but also spread a new kind of awakening in the hamlet. Getting over the Dalit-forward divide, he imparted education, provided books, stationery, food and clothes. He has been a true mentor, guide and everything,” he said, recalling how his friends also boosted his morale.
“I want to do some government job and will continue my hard work. I want to bring change in my hamlet by encouraging others to study,” he added.
The likes of Manjhi have a message for education authorities: The craving for education has increased; all that is required is a true climate to excel.