Seventeen-year-old Arjun Adhyantaya appeared a bit tense for the accountancy paper of the first year PU examination on Friday.
After lying down on bed placed in the examination hall of St. Aloysius PU College, the young Adhyantaya made his mother Vanita hold the Accountancy text book before him for a quick revision. When the exam bell rang, he started dictating answers to scribe Rashmi Mallya, a first year LL.B student.
The accountancy paper is the last of the five papers that Mr. Adhyantaya was writing. “He is studious and will definitely do well,” Vanita exuded confidence in his son’s ability. From the age of six months, Mr. Adhyantaya is suffering from Osteogenesis Imperfecta (a genetic disorder affecting bones that makes them break easily). He has difficulty walking. Added to his problem is the fracture he suffered in January when he slipped down in the car as father applied brakes. “As in the past, he has taken the pain in his stride and has prepared well for examination,” says Bhagwandas, the father, as tears trickle down his cheeks.
Bhagwandas and Vanita have stood behind his son in realising his dream of a career in Computer Science. “I am keen in creating computer graphics,” he says.
Till Class 5, Vanita stayed along with her son in the class. Since Class 6, the two drop Arjun in the morning and pick him up back in the evening. Housekeeping staff, classmates and college lecturers take care of Mr. Adhyantaya’s needs in their absence.
College principal Melwin Mendonca said students like Arjun are inspiration to students and the staff members not to loose hope in life. “We are happy to help Arjun realise his dream,” he says.
