Krishna Kumar as a child could not go to school till his younger brother Basant was old enough to be enrolled along with him. Financially challenged, the brothers’ parents could not even afford to buy Krishna a crutch or braces so that the polio-crippled child could walk on his own. It was Basant, who used to carry his brother to school on his back. And there brotherhood not only withstood the tough challenges of life at each stage, but also came out victorious in the country’s most coveted entrance examination-the IIT-JEE Advanced.
In the recently declared IIT-JEE Advanced Results 2016, the duo have both come out with flying colours. While Basant secured 3675 rank in the OBC Category, his crippled brother fared better than him, with 38th rank in the OBC/ PWD category. The two have taken 3 years of coaching at Kota and now aspire to go to the IITs together. Not only physical and financial handicap, but these brothers have also not been spared by mother-nature even. Their village Paroria, on the banks of the Bagmati in Bihar’s Samastipur, would get flooded during the monsoon season, thereby damaging the crops. As such, the family of seven would often remain hungry and a good square meal was a luxury to the family which they could not afford.
When Krishna was enquired, he informed that while he was just a year old, polio had crippled him and ever since he cannot walk. Being the fourth son of a daily wager, there was no one to assist him to go to school, except Basant. In fact, the actual ordeal was after class VIII when they were admitted to a senior secondary school some 10 km away from their home. But Basant showed great commitment to his brother and carried him on his back while he cycled on a second-hand bicycle himself. And since both of them were good in studies, both wanted to try for IIT JEE. Infact, it was really Basant’s great determination and sense of duty towards his brother that he urged their parents to let him take Krishna along with him to Kota for prepping for the entrance.
The distance of 1400 Km and a new environment, though scared them a bit but could not demean their spirits. But destiny has always played with this two brothers and in 2015, after two years, their father called them back because he was unable to fund their stay and studies anymore. But once again, maybe luck aided them for their indomitable spirit and great character that they displayed, and with help from their neighbours and villagers, the brothers once again let for Kota to pursue their dreams. Well a fairy tale as it may seem, but the ending would be even better with both brothers ending up at the same IIT too so that they can help each other.
Source: http://goo.gl/kNJXEy
