Child prodigy Sushma Verma, who is currently the ‘Youngest Graduate of India’ was awarded with Sulabh Inspirational Award by an NGO Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reforms Movement (Sulabh International) at a city hotel on Sunday.
Sushma was handed over a cheque of Rs 8 lakhs as a help to continue her studies, by founder of the NGO Bindeshwar Pathak. Tathagat Tulsi who had passed his graduation at the age of 11 years was also present in the programme.
Child prodigy’s father was also a cheque of Rs 3 lakhs so that family could tide over financial hardships.Apart from financial aide Sushma was also handed over several latest electronic gadgets including an I phone, an iPad ,a laptop, a desk top and a lED TV by the NGO.
Founder of the NGO Bindeshwar Pathak also promised to fulfill the dreams of Sushma for higher studies in India and abroad. He said that he would bear all her expenses of studies.
Eager to become a doctor to serve the ailing people, Sushma has taken admission in the Microbiology course at Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University here as age did not permit her to join a medical course.
“After MSc, I will not be able to sit for CPMT because of my age. So, I will go for a PhD,” she said.Sushma’s family was also promised to provide housing facility near university campus to ensure better environment for the bright student, to study.It is noteworthy that Sushma’s father had to sell a fraction of their land to pay for her education.
Sushma’s father Tej Bahadur Verma earns barely two hundred rupees a day to make their ends meet. When he saw his daughter’s name on the merit list for Microbiology course at lucknow University, he paid the initial fee of Rs. 25,000 instantly, not thinking about the rest at least 75,000 rupees which was to be paid later.
Complimenting her for her outstanding achievement, Bindeshwar Pathak termed Sushma as a great motivator for children. He, while congratulating the little genius, said,”The girl is an inspiration for students belonging to elite background. With the prize money, Sushma can fulfill her requirements. We will extend all possible support to the child even later on.’’
Sulabh International will also educate her father to ensure a dignified life for family.“I think education is important for my children, so I did not hesitate in selling the land. We never got the chance to study. I don’t want my children to work as labourers, I will not spare any efforts to educate them,” says Tej Bahadur Verma, pointing out that behind Sushma’s remarkable success lies the story of a family determined to educate their children, no matter what it takes.
Sushma, who cleared high school at the age of 7, had a brush with another child prodigy Thathagat Tulsi, who had passed the Class X exam at the age of nine years. Now he is assistant professor at IIT-Mumbai after finishing higher studies at Indian Institude of Science, Bangalore, and in the USA.
It is notable that the Sulabh founder had earlier adopted Tathagat Tulsi, the child prodigy from Bihar and provided financial support for his higher studies. Now he is an Assistant Professor at IIT mumbai. He was also present today to motivate Sushma Verma.
Praising the genious girl, Tathagat Tulsi said that he was happy that she was doing so good in her studies and several people were coming forward to help her.
“It is a great feeling when someone follows your steps. I am happy for Sushma. I first came to know about Sushma when she broke my record of being youngest person to pass class X. At that time I was in Banglore on a research work. I felt happy when she broke my record,” Tathagat said.
After achieving the title of “youngest Indian” to pass the Class X exam at the age of seven years, Sushma’s name found a place in the limca Book of Records.
Recalling her old days she says she was five years old when she had taken admission in class IX. Till then, she was tutored at home. She used to read her brother’s books. Her brother Ashutosh who is pursuing MCA from Banglore, used to teach her Maths and English. Her father used to teach her Hindi.
“Though I have studied with peers who are much older to me, I was a bit nervous going to college. When I went to lucknow University, people were very curious. Students, a lot older to me, would come up to me and ask how did I make it here so youngIJ But now, I have made a lot of friends and I am having a great time,” she chukles.