ABHUJMAD, CG: Caste certificates in India have always deterred access to quality education and deprived brilliant minds of befitting opportunities. The process has been oppressing students and shattering the dreams of the family.
When an 18-year-old girl hailing from Abhujmad cleared her Class 10 board exams, it was an extraordinary feat for the family belonging to the out-banned society. Living under the shadows of guns, leaving behind her legacy a girl from Enmeta Bakulwahi village some 300 km from the state capital- the daughter of Sonwaram Salaam and Aarti– active Maoists in Narayanpur scored 54.5% marks in the High School Certificate Examination (Class 10).
“I am happy that I have cleared the Class 10 examination. I want to become a doctor and serve the people of my village,” she said. However, her challenges to pursue further studies are unperishable. She could not get a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate recognizing her as a member of the Madia tribe and a domicile certificate due to a lack of some documents.
Impressed by the dedication of the Naxal scion, the Narayanpur collector has informed to have directed local officials to extend all possible help to the teenage student in obtaining the necessary documents.
“Due to lack of certain documents in the Abhujmad area, caste, and domicile certificates are issued to people based on proposals of the local gram sabha. I have directed the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to get the necessary proposal from the gram sabha and ensure she gets all these certificates,” Mr. Vasant said.
Across the country, education has been marginalized based on the caste system. If a student wishes to avail of opportunities available to members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, they must at the very least furnish a community certificate with their application.
It remains to see if the collector would give wings to the dream of the Naxal daughter.