By Zaidul Haque, Twocircles.net,
Kolkata: Salma can’t walk. Her legs were paralyzed by spinal polio in childhood. But this could not deter her from studying and going to school. Today Salma Khatun of Charuigachi village in Nadia district of West Bengal is appearing in Board exam (Class X). Her mother takes her in her lap to the exam centre where special seat has been arranged by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education – where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Resident of a remote village of Charuigachi in Gaighata area of Nadia, Salma was affected by Polio in her childhood. Two legs are totally handicapped and she cannot move herself. But her parents supported their youngest daughter’s ambition to study. Now Salma is giving class X (Madhyamik) examination at Panchagram High School. The exam started on 23rd February. As she cannot move, her mother carries her daily to the exam centre. Headmaster of Panchagram High School Shyamal Krishna Sardar said that after getting the special permission of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (which conducts Madhyamik as well as X Standard examination) the school has arranged special seat for Salma who is student of Kalasima Swami Vivekananda Vidyapith.
Salma is youngest of three daughters of Icha Haque Molla. Molla is a marginalized farmer. He is maintaining his family in very poor condition but he always inspired her youngest daughter to study.
Salma told reporters she wants to be an educator in future. On her mother’s laps Salma reaches the examination centre daily. Her parents hope, Salma’s dream will come true one day.