Shweta Mandal, Sunita Kumari and Shikha Jaiswal, all these candidates wearing the convocation gown sitting in the row with thousands other candidates, cheering and applauding for their friends may appears to be like several other candidates who have come to receive their respective degrees but what makes them different is the extraordinary courage, these differently abled candidates posses.

With strong willpower and determination, three differently abled students excelled in academic spheres, setting example for other candidates. Now these ‘Divyang’ girls are all set to start a new chapter in life after coming out with flying colours and receiving the Masters Degree in different subjects.

Visually impaired Shweta Mandal has received Gold Medal for Human Rights Education and is currently pursuing M Phil in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Mandal who lost her eyesight at the age of 15, has come a long way fighting all the odds and proving that nothing can stop a person, if one has the guts to accept the challenges.

 “My educational journey was a roller coaster ride, when I lost my eye sight at the age of 15, I even lost all my hopes but with the support of family and teachers, I continued my journey. I started studying with Braille but again it was a slow process but I managed somehow, at college level I was introduced to JAWS software which was immensely helpful,” she said.

“I even had to struggle to get writers for my exam. Things were never easy for me and presently looking at the circumstances and facilities available for the differently abled people, my only desire is to open and start a disability centre soon where all facilities are provided especially in field of education,” added Mandal.

Similarly, another candidate Sunita Kumari, hailing from one of most backward block, Bero, managing the financial constraints and moreover affected with polio have come a long way and has excelled in her studies. Citing details about her journey, Kumari informed, “My financial condition is not good but I just know only one thing that I can only improve my present situation if I am highly educated.”

After receiving PG degree in Tribal Regional Language (Kuduk), Kumari with confidence said,  “My only dream is to become writer and revive the dying tribal regional languages, these languages are associated with our culture and today the condition is such that even two percent of tribal people are not showing any interest in tribal languages. I have turned my disability into my strength and nothing can stop me to achieve my goals.”

The academic journey was also not so easy for Shikha Jaiswal too; suffering from limps disorder from childhood is now a proud holder of M. Phil degree and plans to work for the uplift of girl candidates in the human trafficking transit zone, Gumla. “I have joined as lecture in Basia College, Gumla and my only vision is to make the girls of my district self independent, so that migration can be controlled. However, even today when people look at me, they show sympathy but I do not require sympathy but I need support to empower girls and women,” asserted Jaiswal.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/ranchi/divyang-girls-shine-at-ru-convocation.html