The story of 17-year-old Ashma Shaikh's story looks like that of an inspirational film. Ashma lives on a footpath with her parents and brother outside Mumbai's Azad Maidan and despite having access to no basic amenities or a proper space to live, the girl has scored 40% in SSC exams.
She would study under the streetlights at night as the honking of cars passing by made it difficult to concentrate in the daytime. Ashma would also help her father, who works as a lime juice vendor, during the day, the Times of India reported. The father has been working hard make the ends meet and educate both his kids.
Despite his meager income, Ashma's father enrolled her for tuition. However, the country-wide lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has kept her father out of work and hasn't been able to pay the fees.
Ashma aspires to become a journalist and wants complete her further studies in humanities stream. Her story of success has inspired many people.
As her story made ripples, Shiv Sena leader and MLA Pratap Sarnaik congratulated the girl and announced that he would arrange for a part-time job for the girl as well as a house under MMRDA, the Mumbai Mirror reported.
Stories like Ashma's reiterate that luxury is no prerogative to excel in life. Hardwork and dedication is what pays at the end. In a similar story, a girl from Delhi's Seelampuri slums scored 96% in CBSE class 12th board exams despite living in difficult conditions.
LIVE TV
