Cash crunch: Taxing time for school topper

KOLKATA: Sonu Swaika had topped her school with nearly 97 per cent marks in her ISC examinations.
She has also got through to the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Pilani to study computer science this year. But the Future Foundation School student is not sure if she can pursue further studies.
The reason: Sonu''s father Radheshyam is a taxi driver and cannot bear the cost of Rs 4 lakh required for his daughter to complete the four-year course.
Radheshyam can hardly make two ends meet with a meagre income of Rs 200 per day, let alone think of financing Sonu''s studies. With six daughters — four of them unmarried — and one son to support, Sonu''s education does not top Radheshyam priorities.
"It is impossible for me to continue after the first semester in Pilani without any financial assistance. I have managed to pursue studies at the plus-two level despite difficulties, but now I have no choice," said Sonu, who received a scholarship in Class XI.
Swaika has approached various organisations earlier and remains grateful to the principal of M.P. Birla Foundation Herbert George.
"They have donated Rs 20,000 in the last two years to ensure my education does not suffer," she said.
Sonu''s cause is supported by her two brothers-in-law, who have managed to raise the initial deposit of Rs 30,000 for the first semester at Pilani.
"We all know she has a bright future and we are ready to help as much as we can," said Sonu''s younger brother-in-law Shravan Agarwal.
"Her two unmarried elder sisters had to leave studies after Class VIII. Despite all odds, Sonu has not given up on her desire to do something big in life," said Sonu''s mother Asha. Unsure about her future, the ambitious young student has kept all her options open.
"If I don''t get a scholarship by the end of the first semester at BITS, I will prepare for IIT," Sonu said.