An inmate of Motihari Central Jail has set an example for other prisoners to keep moving ahead in life.

Languishing behind bars for the past 19 months, 20-year-old Mantu Sharma has secured first division in the Intermediate (arts) examination 2012, the results of which were declared last week.

“Mantu’s achievement has proved that merit of a person can never be put behind bars and if his willpower is strong, the place of study becomes meaningless. This student filled up the forms from the prison and prepared hard for the examination by spending most of his time in Valmiki library situated inside the jail,” said jailor Bhola Nath Singh.

Mantu, a resident of Barharwa village under Turkauliya police station, is facing trial in an attempt to murder case.

He has become an inspiration for the other inmates in the jail. Mantu used to be taken to the examination centre in handcuffs. Both his family members and jail inmates are exited about his recent achievement, said a jail personnel.

Mantu’s feat is also a feather in the cap of “Prerna”, the special literacy drive launched by the state government in the jails of Bihar in July 2011.

The young undertrial is encouraged by his first success and is eager to study further, said the jail personnel, adding that Mantu feels particularly indebted to the prison administration for maximum co-operation extended during his studies and preparation for the examination.

According to the jailor, apart from Mantu, three other inmates — Subodh Kumar, Raj Kishore Kumar and Vijay Shankar Singh — also took the Intermediate examination. Vijay could not clear the test and the results of Raj and Subodh are not known, as they are out on bail at the moment.