Abandoned by parents for being female, Odisha tribal girl tops matric exam; seeks govt help for further studies

Matric topper Kaberi, abandoned by her father at just nine days old for being born a girl, has cleared her matriculation with an A1 grade and is now seeking government assistance to continue her education. After being rejected by her parents, Kaberi was taken in by her paternal grandmother, who decided to raise her despite having no financial support. Since then, the grandmother and granddaughter have lived separately from the rest of the family, including Kaberi’s parents.

With her grandmother's unwavering support, Kaberi has consistently excelled in school. She has earned multiple scholarships throughout her academic journey, including Scholarships in Class III and Class V, the Pathani Samanta scholarship in Class VI, NNMS in Class VIII, and NRTS in Class IX. Her hard work and dedication recently culminated in an A1 grade in the matriculation examination.

Inside their modest home, Kaberi proudly displays her collection of certificates, a testament to her determination in the face of adversity.

However, despite her academic success, Kaberi now faces a financial roadblock. With no steady source of income and no assistance from other relatives, her grandmother worries they may not be able to afford Kaberi’s higher education.

She is now appealing to the Odisha government to extend financial support so that Kaberi can pursue her dreams. Kaberi, meanwhile, aspires to become a collector and bring pride to her district and state, a goal she remains firmly committed to despite the challenges.