Tripura mother writes higher secondary exam with 4-day-old baby on lap

Agartala: In a rare display of grit and guts, a 26-year-old housewife in Tripura's Dhalai district has appeared in her higher secondary examination with her four-day old baby on lap.

Farjana Begam from Kamalpur town sat for the political Science paper on Tuesday with the newborn as part of her higher secondary examination conducted by the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE). However, the authorities also extended a helping hand by allowing Farjana's mother to accompany her in the exam hall.

According to TBSE sources, Farjana delivered a baby on May 6 for which she had to miss a couple of papers of Term-II of HS (+2) exam at the beginning. She was upset, as her date of delivery and board exam had coincided.

Farjana, known to be a good student of Krishnachandra Higher Secondary School of Kamalpur, had come up with a brilliant result in the Term-I examination.

“Despite her sincere efforts, Farjana's health didn't permit her to appear in the exam held over the past two dates. However, after returning from hospital with her new born on May 9 in absolutely fine condition, Farjana shook off all social taboos and restrictions and reached the exam hall for writing the exam for Political Science on Tuesday with her new born child,” said Swapna Chowdhury, an invigilator of the exam hall.

Her arrival at the examination centre with a lap-baby came as a pleasant surprise to the teachers, especially the centre in-charge, and immediately a special arrangement was made for her to take the examination in a separate hall with the approval of the TBSE authority.

The centre authority also allowed her mother to sit in the exam hall with the baby and take care of both of them.

“I am happy at least I can write the exams for all my optional papers now, although I failed to appear for the exams for compulsory Bengali and English papers. Yes, I went through much discomfort over the past few months due to pregnancy and was completely disappointed after seeing the exam schedule. Nevertheless, I am enjoying both the motherhood and also as a board candidate. I have gained the confidence that I can pursue my higher studies, while taking care of my child and family,” Farjana told the media after writing her exam. (UNI)