A talented boy of Jharsuguda district, who studies in a college in Rourkela, had not only to abandon his study due to poor financial condition of his family, but to work as a daily labourer in a brick factory at Gujarat. His plights have come to fore only after his return from Gujarat, after about twenty days of captivity at the brick factory.
Sources said Salim Sine Bage (20), son of Paul Bage, a native of Tarangpada village under Govindpur police station of Jharsuguda district, had taken admission in plus three science course (Chemistry honors) in Ispat Autonomous College, Rourkela, after completing his plus two science from a local college this year. Salim being a meritorious student, his father, who earns his livelihood by working as a daily labourer had desired to continue his study. Accordingly, he had taken admission in plus two science course in Prakruti Science College of Rorukela city, where in college authority had waived his lodging and boarding charges. Salim had secured 59 per cent marks in plus two science examination and had narrowly missed first division by just six marks.
He, however, had figured in the list of meritorious students eligible to get laptop from the State Government. His father had managed only Rs 5,000 for his admission in plus three science course in Ispat Autonomous College, Rourkela. But he had struggled in purchasing books and uniforms of the college and reportedly had realized that he would not be able to complete his study due to financial problems.
During this period, Salim reportedly had come in contact with one Haren Samad, a native of Madhupur village under laikera police station of Jharsuguda district, who had given an offer of engaging him in Gujarat with good salary. As Salim was feeling that he would not be able to complete his education due to funds crisis, he decided to accept the offer and accordingly, had left for Gujarat with Samad on first week of September 2016. Salim’s father, on the other hand, had received the laptop from the State Government. Although Salim was engaged in a brick factory in Gujarat, he was forcibly kept under captivity there.
“After I joined the brick kiln unit there, my cell phone was snatched from me immediately and I was kept under tight vigil,” said Salim, who returned only a couple of days back. “I saw about 40 other persons from Odisha who were working in same condition and they were not getting their payment regularly,” he said. “After about twenty days there, I could escape from that factory and manage to catch a train to Odisha with a lot of difficulty,” Salim added.
“Due to poor financial condition of my family, I felt I would not be able to continue my study. I had therefore taken this step to abandon my study. But now, I have no idea about my future,” he added.