Siblings Mohan and Puja Sahani fought seemingly insurmountable adversities in and around them but managed to clear their Class XII board exams. Sandhya Bairagi wants to give her parents a permanent roof over their heads. She inched a step closer to the dream after clearing her higher secondary examinations.

The three have a thing or two in common - the odds they battled and more importantly, the help they received from the Institute of Psychological and Educational Research (IPER).

The three were part of a group of nine students to receive financial support and mementoes at an event organised by IPER at Indumati Sabhagriha, Jadavpur University, recently. For 45 years, IPER has been working with women and children from the marginalised sections of society, focusing on their education and protection. The award ceremony was part of the three-day celebrations to mark IPER's 45-year journey.

The guests included Mita Banerjee, the vice-chancellor of West Bengal University of Teachers' Training (education planning and administration), Richa Mishra, director of child rights and trafficking, West Bengal and Bijli Mallik, director of IPER.

Mohan and Puja were quick to admit that they would never have been able to complete their education but for IPER's open shelter in Lake Gardens. It was especially tough for Puja as she had to look after her other siblings at their one-room house and do all the household chores. "My mother works as a domestic help. I could study only after I finished the work in the house. It was in IPER that I got some help with my studies," said Puja, who secured 71 per cent in the Higher Secondary examinations. As for Mohan, he had give up on adda with friends or a game of football just to make time for his studies. But his hard work paid off and he passed his Class XII exams with 79.4 per cent.

A talent hunt programme and a panel discussion on 'Challenges to Reach Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education for All in today's Society' were also part of the three-day celebrations.