Bihar Migrant Worker's Daughter Tops Kerala University Exam

Payal Kumari, whose father is a migrant worker in Kochi, has clinched the first rank in the Kerala University exams. Student of BA Archaeology and History (Module 2nd), Payal has made her family, especially her father, proud by scoring 85 percent. Payal was pursuing her graduation from the Marthoma College for Women in Perumbavoor.

Her father Pramod Kumar hails from Gosaymathi village in Sheikhpura, Bihar. He moved to Kerala when Payal was only four, The News Minute reported. Kumar had been since living in Ernakulam with his wife, Bindu Devi, a homemaker, and a family of four. Payal, 23, has two siblings Akash Kumar and Pallavi Kumari.

What You Should Know

• Payal Kumari, daughter of a migrant worker, topped the Kerala University Exam with 85 percent.
• Payal Kumari's father moved from his village in Bihar to Kerala in 2001.
• She had secured 85 percent in Class 10 and 95 percent in Class 12.

“My parents dream was to educate us. We live in a rented house. My father works in a paint shop and my mother is a homemaker. It was not an easy task for them,” Payal told TNM. Payal had secured 83 percent in her Class 1o and 95 percent in her Class 12 board exams.

Kumar is a Class 8 dropout while Bindu Devi only studied till Class 10. After moving to a different city, he worked at various jobs to ensure a proper education for his children.  “This rank belongs to my father, who worked hard despite odds to see that my education was never disrupted. I am also thankful to my teachers, especially Bipin Sir of the History department for helping me sail through all challenges,” said an elated Payal, The Hindu reported.

When they arrived in Kerala, the initial years were a lot harder for the family to adjust. “It was tough since we didn’t know the language and everything was very foreign,” she said, The New Indian Express reported. “When we left Bihar, I was 4. To ensure that we never had any trouble in completing our education, my father juggled several jobs. Even now, he tells me that I need to only focus on my studies,” she added.

Also Read: Sreedhanya Suresh, Kerala’s First Woman Tribal IAS Officer, Is Now Asst Collector Of Kozhikode

'Thought of quitting studies'

Payal's older brother Akash now works in a private firm while younger sister Pallavi is pursuing her graduation. Talking about the financial issues, the family faced Payal said, “There was a time when I thought of quitting studies, as it was tough for my father to educate us all and I didn't want my siblings to suffer." But her teachers supported her throughout, Payal says.

Payal aspires to pursue a post-graduation and complete her education. However, her parents want her to crack the Civil Services examination.

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Feature Image Credit: The Hindu

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