Undeterred by the economic, social and cultural barriers, K. Shakilabanu has come out with flying colours in the Plus Two examination in Puducherry.
Daughter of an autorickshaw driver, she has secured second rank in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Girls’ Higher Secondary School. Ms. Shakilabanu has scored 100 per cent in two subjects – Commerce and Accounts (200 marks). She has secured 199 marks in Business Mathematics, 192 in Economics and 186 marks in both English and Tamil .
With both her parents having completed only primary education, she is the first person to pursue graduation. “She is also the first person in our family to score the highest marks in both the SSLC and Plus Two examinations. I will support her in pursuing higher education,” says her father Kaleel.A.
.”
Her father struggles to earn Rs 25,000 per month to meet the family expenses. “It is difficult managing the monthly expenditure. But, this is not going to hinder my daughter’s education,” he says.
Hailing from a community that still scorns at girls’ education, she holds on to education as a stepping stone for empowerment. “I have seen my relatives and many people in our community not allowing their daughters to pursue higher education. Many of my cousins were stopped from pursuing education after Plus Two. Unlike them, my parents have constantly encouraged me to study,” she says.
It is her love for mathematics that made her choose the Commerce stream. She has won many prizes in the Mathematics competitions since her childhood.
“My school principal and teachers identified my interest and encouraged me to study well. The principal even talked to us directly to find out if we need any special coaching,” says Shakilabanu. Her mother K.Rabiyathul is a homemaker Ms. Shakilabanu says: “Every girl should be allowed to pursue higher education. This will help them be independent and to create an identity of their own.”
