Helps pour in for Bonda tribal girl who worked as daily wage-earner to meet study expenses
BY SURYA NARAYAN PANDA
KORAPUT, MAY 31: A ray of hope has emerged for Bonda tribal girl Karama Muduli, a talented student pursuing her degree course in commerce, who worked as a daily labourer during the current summer vacation to meet the expenses of her education. The Malkangiri district administration has assured to extend a helping hand to the girl for her higher studies. Karama had topped the Plus 2 commerce in Malkangiri district.
A team of senior officials of district administration led by welfare officer Prafulla Bhujabal on Wednesday visited Karama’s house and enquired about her requirements. The team also prepared a report and submitted it to the District Collector for further help.
Karama also received an immediate relief of Rs 30,000 from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). The CMO also announced to provide a laptop to the girl.
The determined girl who had scored 82.66 percent and topped Malkangiri in Plus II Commerce stream now studies in Rama Devi University in Bhubaneswar, the alma mater of President Droupadi Murmu.
Karma returned to Bonda Hills, her native place in Malkangiri this summer vacation, to earn some money by working as construction work helper. Since her parents are daily labourers, they were unable to afford her education.
The only government assistance her parents are receiving is a meagre old-age pension of Rs 500 each.
Even as Karama aims to crack the civil services examinations, financial constraint has stood as a major obstacle to her dreams.
On Tuesday, while recalling her experience in Rama Devi University, the tribal girl had said, “There are rich girls studying at the university. Seeing them, I often thought to lead a lifestyle like theirs. I wish I would eat what they ate and would wear what they wore. But then reality bites.”
“I couldn’t even afford to buy new notebooks. So, instead of writing in pen, I would write with a pencil so that I would erase them and write again,” she had said.
