March 17: These young writers from Nagaon have proven, once again, that success is all about attitude. Physical handicaps hardly matter.

Sarmistha Pritam and Paban Kumar Borah, two physically challenged youths from Nagaon district, stood tall in front of a group of writers and residents here today, sending the message that willpower helped one overcome all odds.

Of the 26 children books released today by the Children Literary Trust, Assam, during a function organised to mark its silver jubilee at the Assam State Museum, two were written by the duo — both suffering from mobility impairments. While Sarmistha is confined to a wheelchair, Paban walks on crutches.

“My book, Aalphulor Xopun (Aalphul’s dream), is the story of a domestic help who fights all odds to avail education,” said Sarmistha, an economics graduate from Phulaguri in Nagaon. The younger daughter of a teacher, she has a good academic record, having bagged letter marks in two subjects in Class X as well as Class XII examinations.

Aalphulor Xopun is, however, Sarmistha’s fourth book. She already has a collection of articles, Daworiya Akaxor Beli (The sun in a gloomy sky) to her credit along with Dokmokali (daybreak), a collection of poems, and Atmokotha (autobiography). She is busy writing two more books — a novel and a biography.

Sarmistha was awarded the Munin Borkotoky Award last year for her autobiography.

“Aalphulor Xopun is my first children’s book, which I wrote following a request from Hrishikesh Goswami, the secretary of Children’s Literary Trust,” Sarmistha said.

Clad in a green salwar kameez, Sarmistha was honoured with a gamosa by health and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“We do not let her feel her problem. As she is fond of reading books, we buy her a lot so that she can be busy with them,” said Renu Barua, her mother.

Paban Kumar Bora from Puranigudam in Nagaon was also a part of the event. “Experience as well as imagination provide me the material to write,” he said. “I pass my days writing for newspapers and magazines.”

He said his book, Rongmonor Jiban (The life of Rongmon), was written to inform children about modern-day technologies, adding that it was his second book.

Paban believes that every person carries with him an inborn ability that has to be cultivated, and that physical deformity cannot always be a hurdle in one’s life. “One should be patient and try to discover oneself. Everyone carries an inborn ability inside,” he said.

Children’s Literary Trust secretary Hrishikesh Goswami said Sarmistha and Paban’s language was as good as any other litterateur in the state.

“Besides, we have tried to send the message across that people like them have qualities that need exposure,” he said.