GUWAHATI, May 16 - They are residents of nondescript, poverty-stricken areas of the city. Although their address is a metropolis and one which is touted as the future gateway to South East Asia, yet, accessing even the basic civic amenities remains a far cry for these people. But the HSLC results declared on Wednesday brought in unadulterated joy into their life of drudgery.
�The result was a totally unexpected one for me. After the examination I thought I would score letter marks in three subjects at the most. But what I got was something beyond my expectation. This Wednesday was really a great day for me, my family, and the entire locality,� said Bikram Sarma, son of a city-based carpenter and resident of the slum area at Bamunimaidan.
Bikram scored letter marks in Hindi, Science, Social Science, Mathematics and English, securing 85 per cent marks appearing from Adarsha Hindi High School, Bamunimaidam area.
�Preparing for the exams was a challenge for me. Our financial condition is pathetic and the social environment of our locality is also not a healthy one, especially for studies. But I tried to overcome all those hurdles,� he said.
A member of Abhinandan Foundation, a group of youths working for the welfare of children dwelling in slums, Bikram said he wants to set up his own business entity in the city after completing his graduation in the commerce stream.
�Behind my success, two teachers � Bikramraj Adhikari and Deepak Upadhyay � played a key role. At every step, they guided and motivated me. World Vision India also helped me financially on various occasions,� Bikram added.
Mousumi Dhar, a resident of Bhaskar Nagar slum area, scored 82 per cent marks appearing from the New Guwahati Adarsha High School. Her father is a driver and her mother works as a part-time help at some households in the city.
�Arranging all facilities for the continuation of my studies was a challenge for my parents. But the HSLC results have boosted my confidence. Now I will enroll myself in the science stream as I want to become a doctor. Through this profession, I want to serve the poor section of society,� she said.
She scored letter marks in advanced mathematics, general mathematics and social science.
The day was also an occasion to celebrate for the family of Reshma Khatun who scored 78 per cent marks in the examination.
This time, her two sisters and only brother � Jesmina Begum, Reshma Begum and Farjul Islam � had also sat for the examination and passed with 50 per cent, 42 per cent and 41 per cent marks respectively.
Reshma Khatun is the daughter of a single mother and her elder sister Jesmina works part-time at a city-based business entity and was a student of a night school. Their mother is a housemaid. The family lives in Zoo (RG Baruah) Road Tiniali area of the city.
�I managed my pocket money by giving private tuition. Before the exams I mainly studied during the night hours. The HSLC results have brought a ray of hope for us. We want to go forward and establish ourselves in society,� Reshma Khatun said.
Jesmina, who lost two academic years due to the family�s financial crisis, termed her results satisfactory, saying that she could manage very little time to study before the examination. �I want to be a teacher. I hope the dreams of my brother and sisters will also come true one day,� she said.
