Last year, Karama Muduli, a girl of the primitive Bonda tribe of Bondaghat in Malkangiri district, was in the limelight for securing the district topper position in Plus II Commerce by scoring 82.66 percent. This year, she is again in the news, but for a different reason.
These days she works as a daily labourer under the scorching sun to meet her education cost as her parents, who work as daily wagers, are unable to afford her education. The only government assistance her parents are receiving is a meagre old-age pension.
While admitting that she is working as a daily labourer, Karma, brimming with strong willpower and self-motivation, shows no sign of shyness. Rather she has a sense of pride on her face because she knows there is no shortcut to achieving her target of cracking the Civil Services exam.
“After my Plus II results, Maira Charitable Trust came forward to help me realise my dream. They got me admitted into Rama Devi University in Bhubaneswar. But I found it a herculean task to meet the education cost as my family is very poor. With no option left, I am working as a daily labourer. I know without money I can’t fulfill my dream,” said Karma.
When asked how she spent one year in the University, her answer was more heart melting.
“At the university, there are rich girls. Seeing them I often thought to lead a lifestyle like theirs. I would eat what they are eating and I would wear what they are wearing. But then reality bites,” she added.
“Since I can’t afford to buy copies, I would write with a pencil, erase them and write again on them,” she said.
When asked if she would be able to fulfill her dream, she said, “Where there is will there is a way. If I try, I can make everything possible. In the coming days, I will definitely achieve my target of cracking the civil service exam.”