People of Value

Lucknow

Patna

Lucknow: Raju Yadav and his left foot!

Raju Yadav is one among the many lakhs of students, who are appearing for their high school examinations in Uttar Pradesh this year, except that Raju has a 50% disability.

With both his hands and legs crippled by polio this 17-year-old a resident of Takhwa, a lower middle class locality, is undeterred by his handicap. He says he intends to prove that he is inferior to none.

What makes Yadav's feat more commendable is that he is appearing for his exams as a general candidate. He has declined to make use of a writer for his papers. He will use his left foot that wields a pen with dexterity to write his papers and that too within the stipulated duration of three hours.

Born to farmer Sundar Lal Yadav and Sumitra Devi, Yadav says his parents were his biggest supporters. "They egged me on. The magic mantra they gave me was that I was the God's chosen one and that I had to prove myself to Him. My friends also have been helpful. They take turns to take me to the examination centre", he says without a hint of self pity. His four elder brothers also love to show him off, he says with a grin. Another motivation came from an English news broadcast, he used to listen regularly.

It took some convincing at the local primary school to take him in. By the time he reached grade five, his dexterity with his foot and eagerness to learn had the teachers convinced that the boy had it in him.

Source: Disabled, but not in life. Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 6 April 2006.

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Patna: Parbati Kumari - Against all odds

Finally there is light at the end of the dark tunnel for 16-year-old physically challenged student Parbati Kumari from Saran district.

The Saran District Magistrate, Mr Amarendra Narayan Singh, has assured all possible help from the administration to fulfill her dream to become a teacher.

Parbati truly symbolises that where there is a will, there is a way. And as she not only writes her examination paper with her right foot, but also eats and combs her hair in the same manner.

Parbati, daughter of a poor farmer, Bhagabna Mahato, was born with congenital abnormalities of the upper limbs, which are not fully developed. Ironically, in view of the social stigma attached to the disorder and that too in rural Bihar, her parents not only neglected her but also wished her dead.

But this did deter Parbati. Her determination and courage did not allow this physical disability to come in the way of her willingness to life to the full. She not only enrolled herself in school bur completed her matriculation in 2004 and has appeared for final examination for the award of a graduation degree in 2006.

District Magistrate Amarendra Naranan Singh said, "Parbati will encourage many other physically challenged students to emulate her to overcome the challenges of life".

Source: Physically challenged, she challenged her limits. The Tribune, Chandigarh, 5 April 2006.

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