TV
Padmini, a bright student from Marbaiguda village in Lakshmipur sub-division of Koraput district in Odisha, has scored an impressive 94 percent in the Class 12 Science stream under the CBSE board. She had earlier secured 95.8 percent in her Class 10 exams. Despite her academic achievements, she now faces uncertainty about continuing her education due to severe financial hardship.
Her father, Chitrasen Khara, has been bedridden for nearly four years following a brain stroke and is unable to work. The family depends solely on a government allowance and 25 kg PDS rice. Buying even basic medicines is difficult for the family. Her mother, Sanyukta, works as a Krishi Mitra under Odisha Livelihood Mission but doesn’t receive a regular salary, making it hard to support the household and Padmini’s education.
“We are happy that she has passed both Class 10 and Class 12 with such good marks. But it saddens and worries us to think that she may not be able to continue her further studies,” said a teary-eyed mother of Padmini.
“Her father was bedridden for four years. He has only just started walking a little, but still cannot function much. Ever since she was a child, Padmini has worked hard and always dreamt of becoming an IAS officer,” she added.
Meanwhile, Padmini said, “Considering my family’s situation, I feel proud that I managed such good grades. Till Class 5, I studied at Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, then briefly at OAV before getting selected for Navodaya, where I studied from Class 6 to 12. I would be grateful if the government supports me. I want to become an IAS officer and help others in need.”
Her family is now appealing for assistance from the government and district administration.
