From struggle to success: How Jyotirmoy topped Class X exam

Guwahati: When school fees went unpaid for six to seven months, Jyotirmoy Das carried on without complaining.The Assam HSLC Class X topper from Dharamtola village in Bajali district comes from a financially strained family.

His father works as a Grade-III clerical employee at a nursing home in Pathsala town.

The family often had to cut back on basic needs to support the education of Jyotirmoy and his brother.Even during festivals such as Rongali Bihu and Durga Puja, Jyotirmoy never asked for new clothes. He understood the family’s situation and chose not to add to their burden. Despite topping the state board examination, he studied in a small house with no separate room of his own.

In the family’s three-room home, everyone had to adjust, including his brother, who is studying BCom at a govt college in Howly.Jyotirmoy said he was fully aware of the family’s financial difficulties. “School fees often remained unpaid for six to seven months and my parents reduced other household expenses to meet educational needs of my brother and me,” Jyotirmoy told TOI.His father, Satish Chandra Das, said he relied on his modest salary to pay for books, fees and study materials.

“To keep my children’s education going, we had to reduce spending on food, clothing and other essentials,” said 52-year-old Satish. He added that despite the hardship, he never sought help from others to cover these costs. Satish also said the school management never pressured him over the delayed fees.Jyotirmoy has been a top-performing student for years. According to school headmaster Hemendra Kumar Sarma, he ranked first in the school since Class IV and studied there from pre-primary level.

“Jyotirmoy was always confident of securing the top position and would tell friends that no one could change his roll number,” Hemendra said.Jyotirmoy’s mother is a homemaker, and the family owns no farm land. Unlike many rural households that can depend partly on farming, they have to buy everything they need.After his result, several senior secondary schools in Pathsala approached him with offers of free admission. Still, he remains undecided. He wants to become a doctor and is considering pursuing Classes XI and XII at a leading institution in the state.