GUWAHATI, June 6 - Born hearing and speech impaired, Bitopan Nath never let his physical constraints come in the way of his dream. In fact, people close to him believe that Bitopan�s biggest strength is his ability to turn his �disadvantage� to his advantage, a reflection of which was evident in his HSLC marksheet. Today, after scoring the State�s highest marks in Weaving and Textile Designing in the HSLC Examination, he has set an example for his ilk.
Bitopan is a student of the Government BDS Deaf and Dumb School (GBDSDDS) here and scored the highest 94 marks in Weaving and Textile Designing.
GBDSDDS Principal Manjuri Borthakur informed that Bitopan hails from Birubari area of the city. �He belongs to a very poor family. We are very happy with his success,� Borthakur said.
This time, altogether 30 students appeared for the HSLC Examination from GBDSDDS. Among them, three secured first division, 22 secured second division and one secured third division. Moreover, 23 of them scored letter marks in different subjects including Fine Arts, Garment Designing, Weaving and Textile Designing, Wood Craft, etc.
�The method of learning for deaf and dumb students is totally different from that of a normal student. Their main tool is sign language, so it is not easy for them to compete with the mainstream students. Some of them are also slow learners. So, such a result is really very encouraging for us,� the GBDSDDS Principal added.
Abdul Mazid Ali from Kamrup district, a student with both hands impaired, scored 513 marks in the examination with letter marks in Assamese, English, General Science, Social Science and Arabic.
Son of daily wagers, Abdul is a resident of Changsari area. He loves cricket and wants to be a doctor.
Krishnav Jyoti Kalita, a muscular dystrophy patient, cleared the HSLC Examination from Silver Oak Higher Secondary School, Guwahati with distinction. He is a resident of Hatigaon area of the city.
Krishnav scored 100 marks in General Mathematics, 86 in English, 84 in Social Science, 91 in General Science, 89 in Computer Science and 72 in Hindi.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Krishnav�s father and former teacher of B Borooah College Dr Mahesh Kalita said, �He is very serious about his studies. So he achieved success despite his physical challenges. Now we are thinking of enrolling him in the commerce stream.�
Meanwhile, congratulating all the successful students, general secretary of the Pratibandhi Suraksha Sanstha, Assam Nripen Malakar said, �We are very happy with the results. I hope the State government will provide all kinds help to them. Government should start higher secondary classes for the differently-abled students in Assam. We also need a government deaf and dumb college in the State.�
Malakar pointed out that at present 47 posts of special teachers and special educators are lying vacant in different schools. He demanded that these posts be filled up without further delay.
