West Bengal students overcome challenges to achieve success in board examinations

KOLKATA: Students from Kolkata and surrounding districts have shown remarkable strength by succeeding in ISC, ICSE and Madhyamik examinations whilst facing serious health and personal difficulties.

Priti Kuiri's journey began at Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre in 2017 with a knee tumour. "Her surgery was stormy, but with God's grace, she overcame every challenge," said Soma De, Deputy In-Charge of the Pediatric Oncology Department. After undergoing mid-thigh amputation and chemotherapy, she became cancer-free in 2019. She achieved 87.4% (612 out of 700) in Madhyamik this year. A student at Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission Vidyabhawan, Priti shares, "I never learnt dance formally. I wanted to but couldn't go to school after my diagnosis. Now, I dance—on one leg. My parents told me there's no reason to not pursue my dreams."

In Kakdwip, Diya Das from Sundarban Adarsha Vidyamandir secured 77.12% whilst fighting blood cancer. Her diagnosis came in January 2023, followed by three intensive chemotherapy sessions at NRS Hospital. Despite treatment-induced weakness and lower back bone loss, she continued her studies in April 2024. She took her Madhyamik examinations that year, despite missing internal assessments and taking a gap year. "She wants to study Arts and return to tuition like before," says her mother, Jharna Das. "She's mentally very strong."

"Since January 2023, I have been admitted three times—each for almost a month. Even now, I'm on oral chemo once a month," says Diya Das from Kakdwip, who scored 77.12% in Madhyamik despite battling blood cancer. After her January 2023 diagnosis, she started chemotherapy with Dr. Pradeep Jha at NRS Hospital in March. Severe bone deterioration in her lower back affected her mobility—she struggles with leg movement and cannot bend. "I couldn't go to school regularly in Class 10, and I took a drop year. I resumed studies in April 2024."

In Uttarpara near Kolkata, Tridev Dutta, who lives with 75% physical disability due to cerebral palsy, achieved 290 in Madhyamik examinations. His daily schedule included early morning studies, walking exercises and physiotherapy. "I wouldn't have managed this without my parents," he says. His parents—his mother a housewife and father a shop worker at Burrabazar's Nandaram Market—transport him everywhere. Tridev aspires to study Commerce and establish his own enterprise: "I want to build something of my own."
In West Midnapore's Penchapara village, within the tribal Jangalmahal region previously affected by Maoist activity, Sunita Das, aged 16, achieved 83%. Her father earned Rs 150 daily repairing bicycles and cultivating rice. Sunita travelled 3 km daily for classes, often using the school library for study resources. She wishes to pursue Pure Science but has financial concerns. "She is one of our brightest," says Prasun Kumar Poriya, Headmaster of Mouphal Deshpran Vidyapith.

Arhan Banerji of DPS Newtown was born without a left upper limb below the elbow. "I faced a lot of taunts and was bullied in school, but my family, friends and teachers always supported me which gave me a lot of mental strength. Sometimes I used to feel emotionally drained because of my disability which impacted my academics but with the consistent guidance of my school and tutors I scored 95.8% in the ICSE exam. I am aiming for IIM Indore after my ISC and will pursue commerce in class 11 and 12," he said.

ICSE student Sk Sagar from Julien Day School completed his first two examinations from hospital following emergency appendix surgery. "Just a day before my board exams, I had to undergo an emergency appendix surgery. Battling post-surgery pain and the lingering effects of anesthesia, I appeared for two of my papers from a hospital bed. The remaining exams were written from a special sick bed arrangement provided by my school. While I had hoped to achieve a higher score under normal circumstances, I am proud to have secured 87% despite these unforeseen challenges." said Sk Sagar.

Saptok Dasgupta, an ISC candidate from DPS Newtown, said, "After being diagnosed with brachial plexopathy in late 2022, I faced significant challenges, especially in writing and revising for exams. It was a difficult time — my academic performance initially dipped, and I had to adapt to a new way of studying. I couldn't write, so I relied on verbal revision and the support of my school. Delhi Public School, Newtown, arranged a writer during my ISC exams, and both the staff and my teachers were incredibly supportive throughout. Scoring 90% was a moment of triumph for me — not just a number, but a reflection of perseverance, adaptation, and collective support."

Another DPS Newtown student, Arya Ghosh stated, "I was diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder when I was in class six which aggravated when I was in class eight. My school had a huge contribution behind my studies and my 73% marks. My father passed away when I was in class six so it was not possible for my mother to keep a special educator for me. Hence without the cooperation of my school it would not be possible" said Ghosh.

(with inputs from Sujoy Khanra)

By: Purba Majumder, Adrija Datta