While some have been lucky to have a family that gives priority to girl child education, some have managed to study without much help even in a small house with seven family members and passed with flying colours. dna speaks to some of those who defied the odds.
Daughter of a farmer Shivani Ramnivas Singh (17) secured 82.61%. The commerce student from Swami Vivekanand college in Kurla, Singh hails from Madhya Pradesh and is a resident of Govandi. Inspite of being from a financially weak background, Singh, who stays in a rented slum, passed with an impressive score. "I would like to become an IAS officer so that I can support my parents. For this success, I would give all the credit to my uncle and aunt who supported and motivated me."
Commerce student Kemchand Chorotia scored 81.38%. He stays with his parents, three sisters and a brother in Chembur. His father Shravanlal works as a cobbler. "I help my father in his work when I am not studying. I plan to take up accounting and finance in the future."
Govandi resident Sunita Sharma scored 81.53%. Her family includes three sisters and parents. Her father Radheshyam works as a carpenter. "I have been helping my father in his work while continuing to study side by side. I intend to study commerce in the future."
RA Podar college's Sonal Shinde scored 75% in commerce under the differently abled category. Despite not being able to use her hands since childhood, she said she strove hard to achieve a good score and is happy with her percentage. Her highest score is 87 in accounts. She aspires to become a banker. "It was not easy for me to prepare for the board exams, but my parents and friends helped me to study. My college also cooperated by providing me a writer."
—As told to Krishna Thakur, Jai Gandhi and Neetu Saini
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