People of Value

Gurgaon

She sets a precedent of determination and will

Soma Patnaik of D.A.V. Public School (Sector 14) has defied her physical disabilities and secured over 93% in the Class X CBSE exams. She has emerged as a role model for the student fraternity.

Soma has only 2% eye-sight and faces a real danger of losing the remaining vision of her eyes anytime.

According to the Principal, Mrs Anita Makkar Soma’s case is a victory of mind over matter, courage and dedication to achieve a goal in spite of all odds.

She said that Soma had to read text and write with the help of a magnifying glass because of her weak and fading eyesight.
But with apparent pride in her eyes and a choked voice, she said that her ward was on a reading binge. She wants to read as much as she can. The reason is that she is conscious of the fact that she may lose her remaining eyesight. Hence, she wants to make the most it…

Source: Physically challenged student emerges as role model. The Tribune, Chandigarh, 30 May 2006.