Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 12: A SSLC student from here living in a shanty without power supply, and whose father is no more, has secured 98 per cent marks in the final examination. He had a surprise guest at his home on Tuesday, August 11 in the form of state education minister, S Suresh Kumar.

The boy, a student of a government school, has scored 616 marks this time. The boy had to depend on the only solar light that goes off sometimes. At such times, he had to depend on kerosene lamp. Like others in his neighbourhood, he takes bath and relieves himself in the open. Getting a proper meal requires a lot of effort from the family.

Mahesh is a student of Karnataka Public Government school at Jeevanbhima Nagar. He scored 98.36 per cent marks this time. He got 125 out of 125 in Kannada, and 100 out of 100 in maths and Hindi.

Mahesh revealed that he used to work as a construction worker whenever he had time as he needed money for books and uniform. During the lockdown period, he could not listen to online classes as he does not have a phone. Therefore he read textbooks. Mahesh's elder brother, Vishwaraj, works as a construction worker and looks after the family out of daily earning of Rs 300.

The family had shifted base to a shanty in Malleshkpalya in the city, after coming here in search of work from Yadagiri 12 years ago. Mother, Mallamma, initially single-handedly shouldered the family responsibility. Mallamma works as a domestic servant in some apartments. As the small house cannot properly accommodate all four members, the mother stays away most of the time.

The minister, who reached Mahesh's house with the help of officials on the morning of Tuesday, was surprised to see that people live in such houses in the city. The minister sat on a gunny bag laid out on the floor and congratulated Mehsh, who wants to pursue science subjects. The minister promised to extend all help. He garlanded the boy, handed over Rs 5,000 in cash, and congratulated Mahesh for his feat.

Mallamma told the minister that in spite of having a ration card, she is finding it hard to get the ration items as the shops refuse to give her ration as she is from Yadagiri. Her efforts to include the name of the elder son, Vishwaraj, in the ration card has also failed, she explained.