Their schoolbooks and uniforms were burnt during political violence before the Lok Sabha elections and they were forced to flee their homes. But the daunting odds could not deter the likes of Hena Parvin, 14, and Tahzeeb Husain, 11, from appearing in exams and succeeding.
In May last year, hordes of suspected BJP activists in Kankinara-Bhatpara had gone on a rampage in the area, with the violence continuing unabated for more than a month starting a week before the Lok Sabha poll results. They burnt the schoolbooks and uniforms of students and many students had to flee, along with their families, from the jute workers’ colonies dotting the region.
Late last month, most of the students received the good news that they had passed their term exams, some with flying colours. Social workers and well-wishers termed the episode a “victory over violence”.
Many had at the time feared that at least 350 children from five high schools in the area could miss their October exams. Aided by social workers and some government agencies, many students had been able to resume their studies, though they could not return home, and appear for their exams.
In late December, Hena, a student of Shams Urdu High School in Kankinara, was informed that she had got 56.7 per cent marks and had been promoted to Class X.
Tahzeeb, a resident of Kankinara Tina Godown and schoolmate of Hena, got 77.25 per cent marks and has been promoted to Class VI. Tahzeeb, the eldest of four siblings who had fled home after it was ransacked, has been staying at a relative’s home.
This week, she was relieved and also thankful for the assistance extended to her by the Association for the Protection of Democratic Rights.
“I was very sad to see my books burnt, but this is my response to all those bad people who did what they did,” Tahzeeb said.
Teachers at the Shams Urdu High School, who had expressed concern in July and August about whether many of the students would be able to return in time for their exams, are relieved.
“It is their determination that has made them victorious over violence. It is a great achievement even though they did not have any books for a while,” said a teacher. “They might not have secured the highest marks, but they did what was needed.”
Gulnar Parween, Rizwana Parween, Hasina Parween, Mohammed Mustafa, Mohammed Sohel, Ruksana Parween and Fatima Khatun are just a few neighbours and friends of Hena and Tahzeeb who persevered against the odds that the volatile political climate posed them.
In late August, The Telegraph had published the plight of students like Hena. After that, the APDR and activist Mudar Patherya had come forward to bear all costs of Hena and Tahzeeb’s ongoing academic session. Hena’s mother, a weaver, earns Rs 40 a day. Tahzeeb’s mother, Nazma, earns Rs 50 making hair bands.
Late in December, the APDR and Patherya pledged to continue supporting Hena and Tahzeeb for the upcoming academic year.
“This is like the calm after the storm. I thank Mudar and Debashish (Pal, an APDR secretary) Sirs for their continuing help,” Hena said. “Without them, I could never have won this battle,” she said.
