They rise to top against odds

Children of daily wage labourers have bagged the first two highest marks in government schools in Puducherry.

Chandru. R.K of Madagadipetpalayam topped with 493 marks, followed by Sindhu. M of Savarayalu Nayagar Girls Government High School with 484.

Chandru’s father Ravi supports the family by working as a painter, while his mother Kanchana is a tailor, who works from home.

I like studying

“I like studying and I wake up early every morning for that. I continued to study at nights during exams. Poor people restrain from going to hospitals even when they are sick because of high fees. I would like to pursue medicine and make medical facilities accessible to the poor,” Chandru said.

He added that he could score such high marks owing to constant encouragement from the school administration, teachers, parents and his younger sisters. Chandru has scored 100 marks in social science, 99 in Tamil and English, 98 in mathematics and 97 in science.

Sindhu Said, “My father works as a painter. We get money only on days he goes to work. My mother is a home-maker. I understand what poverty is and I have faced the problems of being born in a poor family. But, my parents never forced me to study. I believe education alone can alleviate our sufferings. I will study hard and become a doctor.”

Sindhu secured 96 marks in Tamil and English, 99 in mathematics and science and 94 in social sciences.