UP: Poor Barabanki farmer sows sacrifice, son reaps success

LUCKNOW: Son of a Barabanki farmer, Abhimanyu or the mythical warrior battled seemingly insurmountable odds to make his family proud by notching up 95.83% marks to be crowned a state topper in UP Board class 10 examination. It was moment of glory for Abhimanyu's father, Ramhet Verma, who sold his land to ensure his son received good education.
Abhimanyu, who stood second in the state, aspires to be a doctor and attributes his success to the sacrifices of his father and unflinching support of teachers.Talking to TOI, Abhimanyu's father Ramhet said, "I worked as labourer and also did farming to ensure my son gets good education, a luxury which I didn't have. I sold a piece of my land to get him admitted to a good private school where he can achieve his dreams. ' Zameen bik gayi, lekin ladka ban gaya (I sold my land, but it my son has achieved success)."
He said, his son's admission in Sri Sai Inter College in Barabanki was the happiest day of his life. A brilliant student, Abhimanyu scored 99 in mathematics, 98 each in Hindi and English, 91 in science, 95 in social science and 94 in Arts.
"I don't know what it means to be a state topper, but I know I have not let hard work of my father and teachers go waste. My father and mother stood by me like a pillar and my teachers gave me the freedom to telephone them even during odd hours. I aspire to be a doctor so that I can serve society," said Abhimanyu.
The blood, sweat and tears of state's third rank-holder, Yogesh Pratap Singh from Sadbhawna Intermediate College, Barabanki, is equally inspiring. Yogesh, who scored 95.33% marks, said he struggled to pay fees due to the poor financial condition of his family.
The vegetable market in Sultanpur echoed with congratulatory messages when the daughter of a vegetable vendor, Ram Surat Verma, bagged seventh position in the state in class 12 examinations.
Scoring 93.60% marks, Pooja Maurya of Dharma Devi Badri Prasad SIC Kurwar School in Sultanpur, brought laurels to the city.