Cuttack: Subhadra Bhoi, a physically challenged Class X student of Anshmani Smriti Girls’ School at Athanga in Odisha’s Cuttack district, is an ideal example of the ancient adage ‘where there is a will there is a way’.
Despite her handicap and acute poverty, Subhadra, who was born without hands and legs, aspires to be an IAS officer and serve the people.
Subhadra is keen to study and goes to school located about 4 km from her house every day with the help of her sister Nitin and childhood friend Sathi. She is a role model for the children in her neighbourhood as well as in school. Everyone loves her and her teachers are all praised for her eagerness to study. Her teachers say that she is a studious student and has beautiful ‘handwriting’.
One has to see Subhadra doing household chores to believe. Undeterred by her disabilities, Subhadra does all household work, including cleaning the house, performing puja at home, and sometimes even cooking. Aside from these, she also dances to the tune of her favourite songs!
Subhadra will appear for her Matriculation examination next year but feels a little help from the authorities could help her to perform well. Commuting to school is a hazard for her. She gets tired and is not left with much energy to study after returning from school. “I would be grateful if the government could provide me with a three-wheeler so that I can go to school on my own and not get exhausted.”
“I want to continue my studies and be an IAS officer. I want to serve others like me and lessen the burden of my father, who toils the whole day to run a family of 10. We are all dependent on him.”
Subhadra’s grandfather Kanduri Bhoi says, “We have appealed to the Sarpanch and the BDO to provide some aid to the child so that she can fulfill her dreams. However, all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears so far.”
While the family belongs to the ST community, it has yet to get a caste certificate. Kanduri Bhoi says, “Despite repeated efforts, my son has failed to obtain a caste certificate. We have requested the BDO for this time and again, but he has done little to help us. A caste certificate would have alleviated a lot of our problems.”
The family, which does not even manage to get two square meals a day, is dreaming that Subhadra will become an IAS and uplift their lot. But the authorities in her village feign ignorance of their plights, especially Subhadra’s.
