MALKANGIRI: From being the Plus Two Commerce topper in Malkangiri to a daily labourer engaged in house construction work, the life of 20-year-old Karma Muduli has taken a sharp U-turn in a span of just one year.
Daughter of farmer parents Budra Muduli and Sukra Muduli, Karma was the first girl from a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of the Bonda Hill to top in the Commerce stream of Plus Two examination in the district last year. She had secured an impressive score of 82.66 per cent.
However, Karma’s academic feat was soon overshadowed by her financial troubles. Finding it difficult to meet the expenses of her education, she now does hard labour under the scorching heat to pay her annual college fees.
Following her success in Plus Two exams, Karma was selected for admission into the Plus Three degree course of the prestigious Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar on merit basis. Her study expenses amount to Rs 24,000 including the annual hostel fees of Rs 12,000.
“As my family is unable to afford the money, I decided to take matters into my own hands,” said Karma, who was seen working with other girls of Bonda Hill at a house construction site near the district headquarters hospital. Currently, she is in Malkangiri as her college is closed due to summer vacation.
But Karma is not deterred by the hardships and economic distress. “I am working as I need money to meet my education and personal expenses. But once my college reopens on June 19, I will go back to Bhubaneswar and continue my studies,” she said. A student of Plus Three first year, the girl wants to become either a civil servant or a teacher.
Contacted, district welfare officer (DWO) of Malkangiri Praful Kumar Bhujabal admitted that Karma was working with 10 other girls from her village near the DHH.
She is already getting Rs 13,000 as post-matric scholarship. Besides, Karma was given Rs 10,000 from the Red Cross Fund and another Rs 10,000 under the IEC plan. Her parents too are getting old-age pension and other livelihood support from the Bonda Development Agency.
The DWO further said Karma is getting an annual stipend of Rs 13,000 including Rs 10,000 for hostel and Rs 3,000 for school fees. But he agreed that the meagre amount was not enough for the girl to meet her education cost.