Dinhata (Cooch Behar), June 30: Kanai Barman, better known as Andho Kanai, sings for alms on the roadside at Basantihat Mainatala.

Kanai, blind from birth, had a dream of seeing his son Tilak pass the Madhyamik examination so that he could find employment as an assistant in a shop.

Tilak, however, outstripped his father’s expectations by securing 83 per cent with Letter marks in four subjects. Though Kanai is proud of his son’s achievement, he is also worried because he has no money to sponsor his son’s higher education.

Kanai, who has to feed six mouths — including three daughters, a son and wife — does not know how he will be able to get enough money for his son’s admission to Class XI.

“We have nothing other than the small mud house we live in. I depend on alms that people give me. Tilak often goes without proper meals. My daughters could not pursue studies due to abject poverty. I could not get my eldest daughter, Ranjana, married because she is deaf,” said Kanai.

According to Kanai, his daughters accompany him when he goes out to beg. His son also has to go with him thrice a week.

“Tilak has been a brilliant student since his childhood. I have little education. So I can appreciate the importance of studies,” Kanai claimed.

Though Tilak scored high marks in the Madhyamik examination, he never stood first in school.

“In fact, I did not have the scope to attend classes regularly. Nor did I have books. Our neighbour Swapanda (Barman) helped by buying me some books. He also guided me while I was preparing for the examination,” said Tilak.

Swapan Barman, who spoke highly of Tilak, said the boy had to accompany his father thrice a week when he went out to seek alms. “As soon as the exams were over, Tilak had to assist his father by taking him around to sing for alms. The boy often joins his father and hums Bhawaiya and Bhatiyali tunes.”

Tilak, who is desperate for a chance to pursue further studies, said he wants to become a doctor and serve society if someone invests in his education.

“My family is too poor to pay for my higher education. However, only a college degree will help me lift my family out of abject poverty and the misery of having to beg for a living,” said Tilak.

However, no one, including political parties or the local panchayat, has come forward to help him.