By Himanshu Singh
LUCKNOW: Not just physical but even emotional and financial challenges couldn’t stop these two determined students from attaining success.
Son of a farmer, a visually impaired MA (history) student Sanjay Verma and another BVA student from an agricultural background, Amit Kumar who suffers from polio, will be conferred gold medals during Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University convocation to be held on Monday.
“My parents faced several financial challenges, especially at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not just crop loss but selling crops at throwaway prices at the time of the pandemic added more to our financial struggle. My father Dhanushram didn’t give up and worked harder to bear my educational expenses,” said Sanjay who bagged two gold medals: Dr. Shakuntala Misra Memorial Gold Medal, awarded to the highest scoring visually impaired student at Post Graduate Level and Amit Mittal Memorial Gold Medal, awarded for the highest scoring differently-abled student.
He lost both his eyes due to a blood clot when he was 19 years old. “I was broken, as my life had completely changed after the incident. I was blessed to have good teachers and parents who told me that there are a number of children like me who are doing great in life. Then I talked to other visually challenged persons and learned from them how to study using braille. Since I was not blind since childhood it was very tough for me as my senses were not that strong,” he said.
Another son of a farmer Amit Kumar, who suffers from polio, will be conferred Rohit Mital Memorial Gold Medal for being the highest-scoring differently-abled student.
“Our financial condition was not very good due to low farm income. It worsened when my mother, Shivkumari Verma, suffered a paralysis attack and I had to use my scholarship money for her treatment. My friends pooled money for me to pay my university fees. I want to become a sculptor and use the money earned for social work,” said Amit.
“I was five years old when my left leg stopped working. I was very depressed and wondered why it happened to me. For me, the journey was tough, as like other students, it was not possible for me to stand for hours and make sculptures but I didn’t give up. My parents inspired me and said that one should be thankful to whatever God has given us,” he said.
