IANS/Bengaluru
Seventeen-year-old Shalini, who doubles up as a housemaid to support her family, has found a solid reason to dream big. She appeared in the two-year pre-university course (PUC) board exam and scored an impressive 85% recently.
“My hard work has paid off. I used to study for final exams whenever I was free from work as maid in five-six homes around the neighbourhood and household chores,” a gritty Shalini said.
The Karnataka Examination Authority declared the PUC results on May 18 for the exams held in March across the state.
Though distinction was not new to this only daughter of a poor family, as she scored 86% in 10th class board exam two years ago, it is her ability to repeat the feat despite adversity that inspires.
While preparing for her exams, she also looked after an ailing father Armugam, bed-ridden since falling from a building over a decade ago, and younger brother Surya, who is undergoing treatment at a state-run hospital for blood cancer.
“As my mother (Vijay) is the only earning member and works as a domestic help in several homes, I used assist her and learn washing utensils and clothes, sweeping and mopping floors and sprinkle water in front of houses to draw rangoli (colours).”
Later, she also took up the same work at some houses to add to the family’s income.
Shalini who studied in Tamil medium up to seventh class and in Kannada medium in eighth and ninth class, switched over to English medium in the 10th class. She wrote the exams in English with ease.
“Tamil is my mother tongue and Kannada is the local language. I opted for English in 10th class to do PUC and degree in the same language,” Shalini said.
Unfazed by social and economic hardships, Shalini now wants to graduate in electronics and communications and become a software engineer.
“I am waiting for CET (common entrance test) results so that I can join an engineering college like BMS, BNM or VIET in the city with support from trusts, scholarships and donation from charitable institutions,” Shalini said.
Recognising Shalini’s talent and hard work, the Mysore-based Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement paid her admission and tuition fee in the Sri Gururaj Parents and Teachers Association Pre-University College in the city’s southern suburb. It was a reward for passing the SSLC board exam with distinction.
Shalini
