M A I N   N E W S

Sibling revelry: Her brother did BCA at 14, she’s pursuing masters at 13!
Sunit Dhawan
Tribune News Service

Wonder kids from UP Sushma recited Ramayana verses at a tender age of two She took her matriculation exams when she was seven Now 13, she is pursuing MSc in microbiology She says she would like to acquire a PhD Shailendra knew three-four languages when he was three At the age of nine, he passed Class X exam He acquired his BCA degree when he was 14 Now 20, he is employed in Bangalore and is pursuing his MCA degree

Rohtak, November 19
Tej Bahadur Verma, who belongs to a village of Rae Bareli district in Uttar Pradesh, used to work as a farm-labourer. Reading the Ramayana has been an essential part of his daily routine. But now, Verma is a proud father of not one, but two prodigious children. Thanks to his extraordinarily talented daughter Sushma, he is now employed at a Central university in Uttar Pradesh.

His fortunes began to swing after he was blessed with a son in 1993. The son, Shailendra, started reciting verses from the Ramayana at a very tender age. He knew three-four languages by the time he was three. Verma considered it a divine blessing.

Slowly, Shailendra gained prominence. He was invited to lay the foundation stone of the prestigious Montessori school in Lucknow when he was just three years old.

“The school management also offered to admit Shailendra to the school and so we moved to Lucknow in 1996,” recalls Verma.

Shailendra performed exceedingly well at studies and passed Class X when he was nine years old. At the age of 14, he acquired his Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree.

Owing to financial constraints, Shailendra worked from home as a web-developer. Now 20, he is employed in Bangalore, and is also pursuing his MCA degree.

Verma’s daughter Sushma, who was born in 2000, was also like her brother. She also used to recite Ramayana verses at a tender age of two.

Seeing Sushma’s talent, Shailendra motivated her to read. Following in her brother’s footsteps, Sushma took her matriculation exams when she was seven. Now 13, she is pursuing MSc in microbiology. “I wanted to be a doctor, but I was not eligible to take the entrance examination as I was underage. Then, I decided not to waste my time and did BSc. I developed an interest in botany and then in microbiology,” said Sushma, who had come here to attend an international conference on microbiology at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

Asked about her future plans, the young girl says she will like to pursue Ph.D. “I may opt to pursue my medical dream, but I guess research in microbiology would open many new avenues,” she observes.

Sushma says that as of now, she has no plan to become an administrative officer after clearing the civil services examinations.

“I sincerely feel that one should follow one’s area of interest and work with honesty and dedication. ?All of us can serve our country and society if we discharge our duties in whatever field we are with devotion,” says the child prodigy.

Apart from the Almighty, Sushma attributes her success to her parents, brother and teachers. The authorities of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University in Lucknow not only admitted her to the MSc microbiology course, but also employed her father as a sanitary assistant.

“I am highly indebted to the people who supported my children and hope that they serve the humanity,” states Verma.