Odds bring out best in them

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 24

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) declared merit list of the senior secondary examinations on Monday. The Tribune team spoke to a cake maker’s daughter, a vegetable seller’s son and a street vendor’s son from a government school in the city. They may not be among the toppers or merit holders but they all dream of a better tomorrow.

Muskaan’s father, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, bake cakes in a bakery shop. He is feeding a family with a meagre salary of Rs-5,000 per month. They live in a rented house comprising one room and a kitchen. Muskaan, who has secured 78% in the medical stream, says: “Since there is only one room, it was difficult to study during the exam days with seven of us being in a single space. We are four sisters and one brother. In our society, the more the daughters, the more the burden. Now, my elder sister who is 23 years old, is contributing money through tuitions. My parents often argue over money and discuss our expenses.”

Sharing her aim, she said: “I want to secure a seat in MBBS. I want to become a doctor and help my family, so they can live a comfortable life. There are times when I feel like eloping from the situation, but I won’t do that.”

Vivek Kumar Maurya has secured 81.77 % in the commerce stream. His father is a vegetable seller at Phullanwal. With aim held high, he has done a complete homework on his career call. He says: “I want to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). I have searched the colleges where I will now be applying for admission.”

I used to help my father, who is a vegetable seller, in the evening. My father doesn’t show that he needs help but being an elder son, it is my responsibility to lend him a hand. I used to study immediately after school. I utilised free time to the fullest.”

Divjot Singh wants to become a theoretical physicist. He has secured 82.88% in the non-medical stream. Divjot's father is a street vendor, who sells papad door to door on a bicycle. Divjot says: “My family relocated from Faridabad during the 1984 riots. My father has been selling 'papad' ever since we shifted here. I want to become a theoretical physicist. I like digging into theories of physics and would like to take up research in future. I want to make a bicycle that matches with the speed of a motorcycle.”

Divjot Singh 
82.88% non-medical 

Dream: Becoming a theoretical physicist
My family relocated from Faridabad after the 1984 riots. My father has been selling 'papad' ever since we shifted here. I want to become a theoretical physicist. I like digging into theories and would take up some research.

Vivek Kumar Maurya 
81.77 % commerce 

Dream: Becoming a Certified Management Accountant
I used to help my father, who is a vegetable seller, in the evening. My father doesn’t show that he needs help but being an elder son, it is my responsibility to lend him a hand. I used to study immediately after school.

Muskaan
78% medical

Dream:  Becoming a doctor
Since there is only one room, it was difficult to study during the exam days with seven of us being in a single space. We are four sisters and one brother. In our society, the more the daughters, the more the burden.