Double delight: Mother and son clear Class 10 board exam in Ludhiana

Over 15 years after she got married, 44-year-old Rajni Bala decided to pick up books again.

A ward attendant at the civil hospital in Ludhiana, Bala had double reasons to celebrate after she secured 54% and her son 58% in the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 10 exams, results of which were declared on Tuesday.

“I discontinued my studies due to family problem when I was unmarried and stayed with parents in Tarn Taran. After my marriage and a gap of more than 15 years, I appeared again and cleared the examination,” said an elated Bala.

She added, “It was only due to the persistent efforts of my husband that I have got through this examination. Behind every successful man, there is a woman. It’s quite opposite in my case.”

Rajni Bala enrolled herself in St Patrick School, Haibowal, to attend open classes and took a month leave from her job at the civil hospital.

On her decision to study in her son’s school, “I gelled with other students after being nervous initially.”

Bala added she did not felt any competition with her son as the entire family helped her in clearing the examination. “My elder daughters, husband and my classmate (son) sat together to study and prepare for the exams. This is the result of our collective effort of over one month,” said Bala.

Bala is not the only member of her family to clear her board exam after a gap of 18 years. Her husband Raj Kumar Sathi cleared his Class 12 examination in 2004. He had appeared for Class 10 exam in 1987. “It was due to family compulsions that I could not study, but I ensured that all my family members pursue studies irrespective of their age,” said Raj.

Raj said he tried to convince his younger brothers to pursue their education, but they didn’t. “They have their own families and responsibilities now. Their inclination is not towards studies, hence, I could not inspire them,” he added.

While her son Deepak Sathi got more marks than his mother, the mother-son duo said they were planning to continue their higher studies together at St Patrick. “I won’t leave the job. But I will ensure that I do enough hard work to clear the future exams,” said Bala.