Gandla Lahri (Pathankot), June 14
Neeraj Saini, a 17-year-old boy of this village, has topped in the state matriculation examination, the result of which was declared by the Punjab State Education Board today.
Braving extreme poverty and difficult conditions since his childhood, Neeraj, son of a labourer suffering from chronic diseases, has made people of this region proud by achieving this success without having
private tuition.
Living in a kutcha house in the village, 2 km from Pathankot, Neeraj, who stood first in Gurdaspur district in the class VIII board examination, while describing today as the happiest day in his life said his two sisters and elder brother had sacrificed everything to arrange school education for him.
Neeraj studied at Maharana Partap Senior Secondary Adarsh Vidyalaya, Pathankot.
Talking to TNS, Neeraj said he wanted to become a mechanical engineer.
Neeraj, whose education was also funded by Pathankot-based Saini Sabha, said the state government should make a policy to extend financial help to those poor students who have the potential to make a mark in the field of education.
He said he studied from four in the morning till 10 in the night. He also helped his father Baldev Saini in his labour works.
Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, deputy commissioner, said the district administration would honour Neeraj Saini for his achievement.
Kanwar Parkash Singh, director of the school, also praised Neeraj Saini for his achievement.
