BRAVO BRIGADE: Rising above economic hardship and personal responsibility, a group of students from the Assembly of God Church Hindi Medium School has emerged as a quiet force of excellence. Hailing from modest backgrounds, these young achievers have distinguished themselves not only in academics but also in extracurricular pursuits, with some shouldering the additional burden of supporting their families as breadwinners. Their resilience and accomplishments will be formally recognised at a felicitation ceremony to be held at Science City on Saturday.
Rukshar Khatoon, a Class VII student, exemplifies determination shaped by discipline and responsibility. The daughter of a leather sandal maker, she has consistently topped her class while maintaining a record of perfect attendance. Beyond the classroom, Rukshar contributes meaningfully to her family’s income, earning a modest yet vital ₹75 a month by tutoring three children in her neighbourhood — an effort that underscores both her academic strength and her early sense of duty.
Surjit Singh, a Class IX student, carries leadership on his shoulders well beyond the school gates. The son of a daily wage-earner rendered unable to work after sustaining injuries during the Gulf War, Surjit has emerged as an all-rounder and currently serves as the school’s head boy. Balancing studies with responsibility, he works as a waiter both morning and evening to support his family, embodying resilience, discipline and a maturity far beyond his years.
Sheikh Ashfaq, a Class VI student, has emerged as a symbol of quiet perseverance in the face of personal loss. Orphaned at a young age, he has nevertheless risen to the top of his class while actively participating in every major extracurricular activity at school. Beyond academics, Ashfaq shoulders the responsibility of being his family’s breadwinner, spending his after-school hours selling plastic bags — an everyday struggle that stands in stark contrast to his remarkable achievements in the classroom.
While many children spend their mornings and evenings wrapped in routine comforts, these young strivers live a very different reality. Day after day, they shoulder responsibilities far beyond their years, yet they cling steadfastly to the printed word as their bridge to a better future. Crushed by circumstance but not defined by it, they are determined to rewrite tomorrow’s story — one that rises above the hardships of today. Presented here are ten such children, students of the Assembly of God Church Hindi Medium School, whose resilience and quiet ambition keep their dreams alive despite deep deprivation.
Ashalata Satralkar, the headmistress of the free school on Elliot Road, which operates under the aegis of the Assembly of God Church Society, said. “They come from very humble backgrounds and hardly have any facilities to study at home. Still, they are excelling and we want to give them some encouragement by felicitating them at an awards ceremony on Saturday”.
Rizwana, Rukhshar and Surjit, along with their peers, are poised for a defining moment on Saturday afternoon, when they will step onto the Science City stage to receive special prizes from renowned comedian Johnny Lever.
“We like him a lot. He makes us laugh,” the children say in unison a day ahead of the fund-raising programme, organised at a time when overseas support has dwindled since 9/11. Even as preparations are under way, school authorities are outlining plans to expand the campus and introduce a computer literacy course for the students.
The 34-year-old school serves about 600 students drawn from surrounding neighbourhoods, most of whom come from below-poverty-line families unable to afford formal education for their children. Yet the attendance register tells a different story — one of discipline and determination. Each year, nearly 80 to 90 students are recognised for maintaining 100 per cent attendance.
“We try to give them the best possible education and exposure,” says Satralkar. For the children, hours spent in school serve as a rare window to the wider world and a source of simple joy. “At home, we just get bored,” says Shazia, a Class IX student, smiling.
Meet Shazia. The daughter of a carpenter who works in a small shop, Shazia is a consistent academic topper with a string of awards in elocution and dance to her credit. At just 15, her day begins after the morning namaaz, when she helps her mother with cooking and household chores before hurrying off to school. Once home, she tutors her five siblings, leaving herself little time to open her own books until well past 9 pm.
They struggle to balance study and circumstance is shared by the other children as well. Among them are school prefect and aspiring teacher Fatima Kaneez. Anuradha Gupta, the daughter of a taxi driver who dreams of becoming a private detective; Rizwana Fatma, who has already faced loss and responsibility far beyond her years. She lost her mother early in life, yet continues to pursue her education with determination and purpose. Rizwana’s story reflects the reality of many children at the school — children who grow up with very little material comfort but carry strong dreams within them. For Rizwana, education is not just about marks or promotion to the next class; it is a path toward her ambition of becoming a social worker, someone who can help others facing the same struggles she has lived through. Saba Mumtaz, a model of perfect attendance who wants to teach history; and Shanaz Khatoon of Class VI.
Among them is Pinky Kumari Shaw, a Class VII student whose father works in a grocery shop. A consistent rank-holder, she is actively involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. At home, however, responsibility weighs heavily on her shoulders: with her mother frequently unwell, Pinky manages the household—cooking, cleaning, and caring for her younger brothers.
In a narrow lane of central Calcutta, these children continue to dream of changing the world for the better. While young Rukshar is determined to become a doctor, Pinky is equally certain that her future lies in teaching mathematics.
Asked about their single wish, the response comes in a collective refrain: “There is too much poverty. Why can’t everyone get two square meals a day?”
