Girl Who Escaped Child Marriage Scores 90% In II PUC Exam

Karnataka girl, Rekha V surprised everyone after scoring 90.3% in the recently announced II PUC examination results. II PUC course is a pre-university course which is an intermediate course (known as 10+2) of two years' duration, conducted by state education institutions or boards in India. Rekha was forced by her mother to get married two years back. But she decided to run away from her house instead, and finish her studies.

The 18-years-old is a resident of Kotturu village in Bagepalli taluk, Chikkaballapura district in Karnataka, and her mother works as a domestic help. In 2017 when Rekha scored 74% in an SSLC exam which is basically 10^th standard, her mother and other relatives in her family started compelling her to get married. Not only did Rekha fight the prospect of marriage, she also ran away from her home to Bengaluru with the help of a friend. As soon as she came to Bengaluru, she started computer training classes in Hebbal, but she did not feel satisfied with them and instead called up child helpline number to ask for help in completing her education.

In 2017 when Rekha scored 74% in an SSLC exam which is basically 10th standard, her mother and other relatives in her family started compelling her to get married. Not only did Rekha fight the prospect of marriage, she also ran away from her home.

Officials of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) met with Rekha and moved her to Sparsha Trust in Mathikere. They also sought her a seat in Government PU College in Gollahalli, Nelamangala. Rekha secured 542 out of 600 including full 100 marks in History subject. She has decided to pursue Bachelors in Arts with History, Political Science and Economics as her subjects. “Rekha was determined and focused. She was rescued by the CWC after she sought their help. We are proud of her achievement,” said R Gopinath, managing trustee of Sparsha Trust, TOI reported.

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Rekha lost her father in her childhood and at an early age understood the importance of acquiring education. Now after her outstanding performance in the intermediate exam, she wants to become a lawyer and then give civil services exam.

After I ran away and came to Bengaluru and got back to studying, I did speak with my mother. I made my plan of studying clear to her and now we don’t have any rift between us. I go back to my village during holidays and my mother also supports me now. She was very happy with my percentage and wants me to do better. - Rekha V

Talking about her marks and her relationship with her mother now, Rekha told SheThePeople.TV that she was aiming to score 95% but “unfortunately” she could only get 90%. “After I ran away and came to Bengaluru and got back to studying, I did speak with my mother. I made my plan of studying clear to her and now we don’t have any rift between us. I go back to my village during holiday and my mother also supports me now. She got very happy with my percentage and wants me to do better.”

She added, “My mother feels bad about the fact that she couldn’t provide for me well and that she lived her life in drudgery but now with my scores and interest in studies, she feels proud of me. I want to study law now and I am still searching for good colleges to apply for.”

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