NEW DELHI: Mohammad Dilshad did something which his father did not even dream about.
His hard work pays off irrespective of social or economic background and Dilshad, son of illiterate Bihar migrant topped Kerala board exam in Malayalam medium by securing A+ grade in all subjects.
Born into a poor peasant family in Bihar’s Darbhanga, Dilshad’s father Bhutto Sajid didn’t have the financial means to go to school. In his own words, the 41-year-old Sajid is an ‘angootha chaap’ (illiterate).
He did odd jobs, first in his village and then later in Delhi, and in 1999, he was among the first wave of workers migrating thousands of miles from Kerala for jobs in Gulf countries.
“Hum Gareeb The, Nahi Padh Paye. But Mera Beta Mera Sar Uncha Kar Diya (We were poor so couldn’t study. But my son has made me proud),” Sajid said in an interview to The Indian Express.
Sudhi T S, the mathematics teacher at the six-decade-old Binanipuram Government High School, situated in an industrial belt on outskirts of Kochi.
Sudhi took a special interest in Dilshad’s studies. Despite having an opportunity of a transfer to another school, Mr. Sudhi stayed on just to help him (Dilshad) out.
“In fact, I had the opportunity of a transfer to another school here two years back. I have an asthma condition and this is an industrial area. But I stayed on just to help him (Dilshad) out. I wanted to see him do well in the exams because he has a bright future ahead,” said Sudhi, adding that he would often fix special classes at 6 am in the morning for Dilshad’s batch.
He was more happy with his student’s performance than the performance of his own son who also appeared for this year’s Board examinations.
“I used to tease my son by telling him that Dilshad would score better than him. That would get him jolted and serious about studying,” the daily quoted him as saying.
Following Dilshad’s achievement in the results, congratulatory messages from all quarters are incessantly received by Sajid, his wife Abida and the teachers, as well as the school.