Blind girl gets to class XII merit list, tops humanities group : Bhopal

ShristiTiwari, a girl of many dreams and aspirations. This blind girl, who topped the humanities group with 481 marks and stood 4th in the overall provisional merit list of class XII MPBSE declared on Tuesday said she has "miles to go before she sleeps."

Deriving inspiration from Helen Keller, Shristi said that just like Keller did not allow her disability to impede her in the path of success, she too is determined to be a part of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) to help others like her become a part of the mainstream.
Talking to TOI from her maternal grandparents' house in Damoh, a jubilant Shristi said, "My yearlong hard work has borne fruit finally. I credit this achievement to my family and teachers who have been extremely supportive."

 

 Talking to TOI from her maternal grandparents' house in Damoh, a jubilant Shristi said, "My yearlong hard work has borne fruit finally. I credit this achievement to my family and teachers who have been extremely supportive.

 

"I wish to take the UPSC exam with Geography or Political Science later in life and ultimately become a part of the IAS. There is a great need to promote those who are like me and make them a part of the mainstream. This can only be
possible if we are a part of the system that can make those changes happen," she said.                                                                                                              
On whether her disability was an impediment, she said, "Difficulties are present in each one's like, whether it is mental or physical. But that hasn't stopped anyone from conquering them. For people like me, if they get a supportive atmosphere in the form of family, friends and teachers, then no mountain is high enough!"

She considers her role model to be her maternal uncle who is a lecturer at her school in Damoh.  Her parents Sunil Tiwari and Sunita Tiwari too are on cloud nine at their daughter's achievement. Speaking to TOI from Bhopal, a visibly excited Sunil said, "Shristi has been blind since birth. She can only manage light chores on her own. But she has made us so proud today and had shown what grit and determination can do!"

"I have a transferable job due to which I'm currently posted at the district employment centre here in Bhopal. We didn't bring Shristi here as it was mid-session and didn't wanted to uproot her from Damoh where she has studied since class II. Even doctors have always advised that her wishes should be considered foremost," he said.

Shristi attributes her success partially to Gaurav Dubey who wrote exams for her, as per MPBSE rules. "Gaurav, my writer for the exam, was from my school and from class XI science stream. I was lucky that he didn't had his exams on the days that I did. He helped me out immensely and was very cooperative."

Board to push for disabled students

Buoyed by Shristi Tiwari's success in the MPBSE exams, the board would try and help other such students in coordination with the social justice department. Secretary of the board Pushplata Singh talking to TOI said, "It is a matter of immense pride that a girl overcame her disability figured in the merit list. We would now make greater efforts to identify more such students whose education is largely neglected and help them to come forward. For this, we would ask the social justice department to help us with the lists and their condition." She however remained tight lipped on MPBSE still not having any provisions for learning disabled children.  Source : TOI , 21st may 2013