Date:13/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/13/stories/2005051319680500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Defying odds to emerge successful

J.S. Ifthekhar

I expected to get a State rank in the SSC exam, says Rubina

STAYING FOCUSED: Rubina Begum

HYDERABAD: A top scorer who didn't study at a corporate school, had no tuition or even an educated background at home. She has re-written all the rules of the game and in the process exploded a few myths.

Rubina Begum has scored 553 marks in the SSC examination, one of the few top rankers in the city. If one thinks it is no big deal, consider this. She hails from a very poor family in the old city. A first generation learner, there is absolutely no educational background in her family which is faced with a hand to mouth existence.

Her father, Syed Idris Ali, works in a bakery at Yakutpura earning just Rs. 100 a day while mother, Fatima Begum, sews clothes at home to supplement the family income. In spite of their abject poverty, they are intent on educating Rubina and her two brothers all of whom are studying at Iqra Mission High School, Nawab Saheb Kunta. Rubina's school fee was partly contributed by the Nationalist Association of Muslim Foundation.

Hard work pays off

How did Rubina pull off this feat? "She is intelligent and hard working student and has done exceedingly well even in the previous classes," says school principal, Mohd. Sajid Ali.

It is a single room house that Rubina's parents live in. No, there is no TV, telephone or fridge at home. Absence of these basic luxuries has only spurred Rubina to come up in life.

With none to help her at home, Rubina used to stay back at school till 8 p.m. to clarify doubts, if any, from teachers. Is she overwhelmed with her success?

"Not at all. I expected to get a State rank," says Rubina.

Keen on MPC

With 93 marks in mathematics, Rubina is intent on studying MPC in Intermediate.

Would her parents be able to help Rubina realise her dream? No problem. M.S Junior College is stated to have come forward to meet all the expenditure towards Intermediate course. The college has also offered to defray all expenses towards her books and dresses.

While Rubina's parents are happy at the turn of events, they are worried about their youngest daughter, Ruhina Begum.

They have no money to educate her. True, the fruits of education are sweet but its roots are bitter.