SHILLONG: We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without, said Immanuel Kant, a philosopher and one of the most influential thinkers of modern Europe.
This thought was duly illustrated by Som Bahadur Thapa, a young student of Madan Laban Nepali Secondary School, who secured the 15th rank in the SSLC examination 2016 despite facing innumerable challenges in life, foremost among them being poverty.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Wednesday after his tremendous success, Som Bahadur Thapa said his mother sells momos outside Govt. Girls HS School, Shillong while his father works as a temporary staff in the same school.
“I contribute by doing a babysitting job along with my mom to support my family,” the proud student said.
The student secured 553 marks including letter marks in Mathematics, Science & Technology, Social Studies, Health Education and Nepali (MIL). He is now expectant for a better future for himself and his family, even as assured of continuing with his hard work.
“Hard work and sincerity towards studies is the most important factor for achieving success,” he said, while clearing the misconception among students that Math and Science were the most difficult subjects. “The fact is that no subject is tough enough if the student works hard to clear those subjects,” he stated.
He now plans to study Science stream at St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School and after his 10+2 he plans to study MBBS to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor.
A proud Makhmali Thapa, mother of Som Bahadur, said she and her husband had worked very hard to ensure that their children get the best education possible and now they are overjoyed with the success their son has achieved.
“He has worked very hard and I hope for a bright future for him. I also hope that he gets assistance from the government in the form of a merit scholarship to continue his further studies,” said the mother.
Hard work pays off for private candidates
Two private candidates secured berths in the Top 20 merit list of the SSLC examination due to their sheer hard work and dedication.
Evada E Hun Wann from Shangpung, West Jaintia Hills, who secured the 5th position, did not expect to be amongst the top five.
She informed over the phone, adding that she had studied 6-7 hours a day and mostly in the evening hours. “I wish to pursue Science and want to be a lecturer,” she added.
Another private candidate, Rubul Dewan, secured the 18th position. Meena Sharma, teacher of Rubul Dewan, said Rubul has the record of being a good student and studied for 7-8 hours a day and during holidays he extended studies up to 10 hours a day. “He aims to be a doctor with specialization in neurology and he will take up further studies in Guwahati,” she said.
