Building collapse does not deter city boy from excelling

Two days before his Class 10 science exam, Shubham Pote, 15, found himself homeless.

Two days before his Class 10 science exam, Shubham Pote, 15, found himself homeless.

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Pote’s building in Andheri, Sheetal Dhara, was demolished by contractors on March 18 as its foundation had weakened. Pote, a student of Rajhans Vidyalaya, Andheri, had to move into a friend’s house in Lokhandwala, without any books, clothes, or hall ticket.

When the results were announced on Monday, Pote found he had scored a CGPA of 9.8 (more than 90%).

On March 18, Pote had heard the hammering sounds while studying at 1.30am. “The building’s A wing had collapsed and the B wing, in which I lived, was also weakening. The contractor thought it was better to demolish the building before it too collapsed,” said Pote.

Pote’s family evacuated the building at 1.30am. “I saw the building being brought down. I did not get time to collect my books or my cellphone,” he said.

At 5am, Pote used a neighbour’s cellphone to call his friend. “Luckily my friend was awake as he was studying. Within an hour, I shifted to his place. It took me a day to switch off and start concentrating on my studies,” said Pote, who has now shifted to Oshiwara
“I was worried, as the science paper is usually tough. I am happy to have scored well. My results have exceeded my expectations,” said Pote. “My friend and I studied together. My parents would visit me to give me moral support,” he added.

“Despite the traumatic situation, he could manage to study. He kept his cool and we are proud of him,” said Pote’s father, Sujit.

Pote’s school helped him get a duplicate hall ticket. “We are really happy that despite all odds he managed to score so well,” said Deepshikha Srivastava, principal, Rajhans Vidyalaya.