Twenty-five-year-old Mahavir Baraik’s story is that of beating the odds and emerging a winner.

A resident of nondescript Rugu village in Bero block of Ranchi district, Baraik had lost his vision at the age of five. However, he did not let his disability deter him. Through sheer courage and determination, Baraik became an inspiration for many on Monday when he received his MA degree in Hindi at the 24th convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou). The event was held at Marwari Boys’ College.

“Mere liye padhai hi sab kuch hain (Studies is everything for me). Initially, I did face problems but later, things became smoother with the support of my friends and family,” said Baraik, who works as an assistant teacher at Rajkiye Awasiya Scheduled Tribe Residential School at Baridih, Bero.

The fight does not end for Baraik here. The third among five siblings, he now plans to appear for National Eligibility Test. “Jeevan mein bahut mushkilein ayegi, lekin age to badhna hoga. (Troubles will keep coming in life, but one has to move ahead),” he said.

Like Baraik, partially blind Ravindra Kumar Jain, 30, who completed his MCA through Ignou with 66 per cent, also received his degree at the convocation.

Ranchi resident Jain — who suffers from Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that damages the retina — aspires to become a software engineer. “I use an electronic magnifier to read since I am unable to see the letters. I thank my family for providing all the required support,” he said.

Around 3,353 students of Ignou’s regional centre received gold medals, degrees, diplomas and certificates at the convocation.

A.K. Kaul, the vice chancellor of National University of Study and Research in Law, was the chief guest on the occasion.