Two Indian child prodigies came together on one stage on Sunday : Tathagat from Bihar (Patna), already working as an assistant professor in IIT Mumbai and Sushma from Lucknow, just starting her postgraduation.
Both at a different stage in life had a common perception--talent needs support, both emotional and material.
It was an emotional moment on Sunday for Tathagat.
The whizkid who set a record by passing Class 10 exam at the age of 9 in 1997 came together on stage with Sushma Verma, who broke his record by passing Class 10 at the age of 7 in 2007.
The occasion was a function held to honour and hand over a cheque to meet the financial need of Sushma and her family.
As the founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak handed over the cheque of Rs 5 lakh for her and announced annual grant of rs lakh for her parents, the 13-year-old child prodigy Sushma reiterated her wish of becoming a doctor.
After receiving the cheque, Sushma said, “After MSc, I will first pursue PhD as I will not be able to sit for CPMT because of my age. Today I am also happy because I met Tathagat bhaiya. I passed Class 10 at the age of 7 and it was his record that I broke. I am happy and will be happier if some other talented child breaks my record. But this will be possible only if parents give more time to children and take personal interest in their studies as my parents did.”
{{/usCountry}}After receiving the cheque, Sushma said, “After MSc, I will first pursue PhD as I will not be able to sit for CPMT because of my age. Today I am also happy because I met Tathagat bhaiya. I passed Class 10 at the age of 7 and it was his record that I broke. I am happy and will be happier if some other talented child breaks my record. But this will be possible only if parents give more time to children and take personal interest in their studies as my parents did.”
{{/usCountry}}Sushma has taken admission in B R Ambedkar Central University for her M.Sc.
Along with the cheque, she was gifted an iphone, an iPad, a laptop, a desk top and an LED TV. Her father was given a cheque of ` 3 lakh while another ` 3 lakh will be given to him in the next six months.
While congratulating the little genius, Pathak said,”The girl is an inspiration for students belonging to elite background. With the prize money, Sushma can fulfill her requirements. We will extend all support to the child even later on.”
Tathagat was all praise for Sushma.
“When news about Sushma passing Class 10 broke on television, my friends in Mumbai teased me, saying my record was broken. I was jealous but praised Sushma,” he said.
Sushma’s father, Tej Bahadur Verma, a daily wage labourer was also present in the function with his wife Chhaya Devi.
“What else do I need? My daughter will be able to study and we shall live close to her,” he said.