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| Riya, Kizhakkeppurath, Chevayoor, Kozhikode |
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Scoring 87.5% marks in SSLC examinations is itself a good sign. What then to speak of someone who wrote the answers with foot rather than hand, since she was born without either hand.
This is what Riya, daughter of carpenter Rajan, Kizhakkeppurath, Chevayoor, Kozhikode has done. Though the Education Department had permitted her a grace period of 20 minutes each to writes the exams, she needed that extra time only for 4 of the 12 subjects. Although she was exempted from questions that required the use of geometrical instruments, Riya, who drew lovely pictures with the leg even as a small child, did not need that concession.
Riya, who was born without hands, did not go to school till she was 8. When her younger sister Rita started going to school, Riya started writing in the younger sister’s slate with her legs. When in her intense desire to go to school, little Riya practiced to perfection the art of good legwriting, the parents did not have to think twice about letting her join 1st standard in Chevayoor A.U.P.School. Here she was the class topper till 7th standard. Afterwards in Savio High School, Devagiri also, she showed her mettle in studies and surprised everyone with her high score in SSLC exams.
A lover of computer, she is now studying Plus One at Rahmaniya Higher Secondary School.
Many donors have come forward to contribute their mite to help Riya in continuting her studies. ‘Malayali’, a magazine from USA, ‘Keli’, the Malyali Association of Riyadh, Baby Marine Company, Kozhikode, Women’s wing of Indian Medical Association, Punjab National Bank etc are some of these.
Her ambition is to become a computer professional.
Riya with computer
Courtesy: C.Sivaprasad (text), Rajan M.Thomas (photo), Malayala Manorama, September 12, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
