Ranchi:
In Jharkhand, a girl belonging to a very poor family of construction labourers, has secured the ninth position in the Class 12 examinations for the state board. Her achievement is now being lauded across the state, especially so because she has overcome many odds, including countless hours of working at construction sites herself, to achieve success.
For the last six years, Julia Minz has spent most of her time at construction sites near Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, assisting her mother at work at these places.
When she was two years old, Julia's father passed away, and that meant helping her mother in these harsh conditions came very early to Julia. But this did not deter her from trying to get an education, and succeeding spectacularly at it.
In the Class 12 Jharkhand Board examinations, whose results have just been declared, Julia, an Arts student, who lives about 40 kilometres away from Ranchi, has secured the ninth position, getting 376 marks out of 400.
She says, "I was not sure I would do so well. Sometimes poverty makes you feel you can't rise above it. But today I can with pride that I have made an attempt."
Beyond the recognition that Julia is receiving across Jharkhand, including a visit and appreciation by the state's education minister, and the promise of a scholarship, the happiest person in this situation is Julia's mother Sunita, who never let the family's dire poverty come in the way of Julia's education. Speaking to NDTV, she said, "I used to save up from my work and aid her education. I am so happy she has done well."
Julia says she wants to study further and become an IAS officer. With a little more grit and determination, something that Julia seems to have in ample measure, nothing seems too far away from this young girl.