Pawan: A positive spirit

Ranchi, June 17: For Pawan, Emmanuel or Chandan, the IIT ranking was a confirmation of his belief that one can achieve success despite odds .

Pawan Kumar Gupta, a resident of Miser Gonda in Kanke, has secured a 3209th all-India ranking. His father, Vikram Gupta, was earlier a truck driver and now runs a small shop that sells milk in CCL, Gandhinagar. He had to struggle hard, in a family of six, to arrange the high cost of Pawan?s education and coaching for the IIT entrance test.

Through the dingy lanes of Miser Gonda, one comes across Pawan?s thatched house. But in spite of all this, the family has forgotten the hard days it had to pass through. They have already braced themselves to bear further hardships to ensure higher education of their son.

Pawan, who maintains that his 3209th rank was a gift to his father. Strong determination, will power and hard work and continuous inspiration from his father was the reason behind his good result, maintained Pawan.

As Pawan pointed out, ?Nobody in my family knew what IIT was. It was because of my father that I have achieved such a result. He used to inspire me in every possible way,? said Pawan.

On the other hand, Pawan?s father has forgotten about his earlier struggles and is already gearing up to take education loans for his son?s higher studies. ?I had decided to make my son highly educated and planned my actions and finances accordingly,? said Vikram Gupta.

Emmanuel Kerketta?s case is notably the same. Emmanuel, a resident of Bokaro, secured the 76th all India rank in the SC category.

His father is a fireman working in the Bokaro steel plant and he too somehow managed to provide for the expenses of his son?s education. ?I am a very junior rank staff in the plant. But I had always dreamt of making my son an officer. I could not bear the cost of his full time coaching and could only manage Rs 6000 for a small course in a coaching centre. But now all my prayers have been answered,? said M.M. Kerketta, father of Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, who plans to take up studies in Kharagpur, would also apply for scholarships there. ?I would definitely try to make my parents proud who have really struggled to get me here,? said Emmanuel.

Chandan Kumar, a physically challenged student, belongs to a very poor background and his father owns a small shop. He secured 8th all-India ranking in the IIT. He could not be contacted as he had already left for his native place in Bihar.