Dhenkanal teen with 90% physical disability clears matric exam, inspires community

Dhenkanal: A 14-year-old girl from Saruali village has cleared the matriculation examination with 309 marks, overcoming severe physical challenges.

Sunita Naik, a student of Nigamananda High School under Kamakhyanagar block, stands at one-and-a-half feet tall and has over 90 percent physical deformity. She also faces difficulty in walking, speaking, and hearing. Sunita was the shortest examinee in this year’s matric exam. She appeared for the examination at Panchayatraj Kanpura High School with the help of a writer.

Her achievement has drawn praise from teachers and local education officials. Kamakhyanagar block education officer Saroj Sahu said arrangements are being made for her further studies through distance learning. “Considering the difficulties she overcame to pass the matric exam, we have decided to enrol her in the National Institute of Open Schooling in Dhenkanal. An offer has already been sent to her family. She will continue her higher studies through correspondence,” he said.

Sunita’s brother Rajesh Naik said continuing higher studies would be challenging due to her physical condition. Officials are working to ensure her education does not stop.

According to her family, Sunita has been physically challenged since birth with hearing and speech impairments. Despite treatment at hospitals in Dhenkanal and Cuttack, her condition did not improve. On her insistence, she was admitted to Sunajhari Primary School, where she studied up to Class VIII with the help of a writer. She later joined Nigamananda High School for secondary education.

“Sunita joined our school in Class IX. Though she cannot speak or hear properly, she communicates through gestures. She prefers to do her work independently and even eats meals on her own. She has a strong desire to continue her studies and pursue college education,” said headmaster Suvashree Sahu.