A ray of hope has emerged for the 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 her for her higher studies.
A team of senior officials of the district administration led by Welfare Officer Prafulla Bhujabal on Wednesday visited Karama’s house and enquired about her requirements. The team prepared a report and submitted it to the district Collector for further help.
Karama also received an immediate relief of Rs 30,000 from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The CMO also announced to provide a laptop to here.
Karama, who had scored 82.66% and topped the Plus II Commerce in Malkangiri district, now studies in the Rama Devi University in Bhubaneswar.
Karma returned to Bonda Hills, her native place in Malkangiri, this summer vacation to earn some money by working as a construction labourer. Since her parents are daily labourers, they were unable to afford her education expenses. The only Government assistance her parents are receiving is a meagre monthly 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.
Recently while recalling her experience in the Rama Devi University, Karama 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 and wear what they do.”
“I couldn’t even afford to buy new notebooks. So, instead of writing with a pen, I would write with a pencil so that I would erase them and write again,” she had said.