Bengaluru: 17-year-old Shalini of Bengaluru has scored 84 per cent in her Class 12 exam. Nothing unusual, many would argue - except that when others took study breaks, this teen worked as a help in five houses.
In addition to studying for her exams, Shalini cleaned houses to add to her family's income.
"I used to clean clothes, clean utensils and put rangolis (decorative motifs on the floor)," she told NDTV in fluent English. Her ambition is to become the first engineer in her family.
Shalini's father Armugam was disabled in an accident and does not work anymore. Her mother Vijaya, the main bread earner, has to juggle her cleaning jobs with hospital duties; Shalini's younger brother Surya has been diagnosed with blood cancer and is in hospital.
Shalini had no choice but to continue working while preparing for her exams.
Asked how she managed to get any studying done, the teenager says: "I woke up at 4.30 am, went to a house to put Rangoli, that was till 5.30, then I mopped and cleaned at another house till 7.30, then went to another house to wash clothes and clean utensils till 9, then I studied, had breakfast, went to another house to wash clothes, then another house to clean utensils, then studied at night..." Shalini's day seems impossibly long, but then she has always been a fighter.
She started with a Tamil medium school, then shifted to Kannada medium and finally went to an English medium college.
The family stays in a small house shared with Shalini's mother Vijaya's brother and his wife. Vijaya only studied till Class 5 and her husband is illiterate. But she was perhaps her daughter's biggest inspiration.
Many say the real test of life is usually outside the examination hall. If that is the case, young Shalini is already a winner.
To help Shalini, please send cheques or demand drafts in the name of:
Shalini A
Account no. 1122500101397101
Karnataka Bank
Mahalaxmipuram Branch
Bengaluru
Bank Address:
Karnataka Bank
No 271, 4th Main, 12th Cross
Mahalakshmi Layout,
Bengaluru
Karnataka
Pin: 560086
Additional details for online transactions:
IFSC Code: KARB0000112
Branch Code: 000112
MICR Code: 560052032
Note: This information has been provided / published on a good faith basis, without any commercial motive. NDTV does not vouch for the authenticity of the claims made by the intending donee, nor can we guarantee that the donations made by a donor will be used for the purpose as stated by the intending donee. You are requested to independently verify the contact information and other details before making a donation. NDTV and/or its employees will not be responsible for the same.
In addition to studying for her exams, Shalini cleaned houses to add to her family's income.
"I used to clean clothes, clean utensils and put rangolis (decorative motifs on the floor)," she told NDTV in fluent English. Her ambition is to become the first engineer in her family.
Shalini had no choice but to continue working while preparing for her exams.
Advertisement
She started with a Tamil medium school, then shifted to Kannada medium and finally went to an English medium college.
Advertisement
Many say the real test of life is usually outside the examination hall. If that is the case, young Shalini is already a winner.
Advertisement
To help Shalini, please send cheques or demand drafts in the name of:
Shalini A
Account no. 1122500101397101
Karnataka Bank
Mahalaxmipuram Branch
Bengaluru
Advertisement
Karnataka Bank
No 271, 4th Main, 12th Cross
Mahalakshmi Layout,
Bengaluru
Karnataka
Pin: 560086
Additional details for online transactions:
Advertisement
Branch Code: 000112
MICR Code: 560052032
Note: This information has been provided / published on a good faith basis, without any commercial motive. NDTV does not vouch for the authenticity of the claims made by the intending donee, nor can we guarantee that the donations made by a donor will be used for the purpose as stated by the intending donee. You are requested to independently verify the contact information and other details before making a donation. NDTV and/or its employees will not be responsible for the same.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Arjun Reddy At 7: Vijay Deverakonda Shares BTS Pics With Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Fans Want Second Part Of The Film Over 65 Lakh Students Failed Class 10, 12 Exams In 2023: Government CBSE Class 10 Supplementary 2024 Result Out, Check Steps To Download 8 Dead, 2,750 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel Video: Leopard Spotted Crossing Road In Bengaluru's Electronic City IndiGo Flight Tailstrike Leaves Huge Dent During Take-Off From Delhi Airport Norway Now Has More Electric Cars Than Petrol Models, 1st In The World "Mother Used To Feed Me Jaggery": PM Modi Gets Emotional On 74th Birthday "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.