“The fact that I can come this far is a miracle. Nothing would be possible without the help of Calcutta Rescue,” said Neha.
Neha is one of the six students who won the prestigious scholarship from The Telegraph this year for “Outstanding Performance in Academics”. But her journey was not easy.
In the bustling neighbourhood of Nimtala, nestled in a small rented house, lives Neha, an 18-year-old shy girl but with a heart full of dreams and a spirit of resilience with her mother and two younger brothers.
Life has not been kind to Neha. She is a patient with epilepsy which hindered her childhood for quite a long period.
“She used to have frequent seizures,” said Neha’s mother, “But Calcutta Rescue helped us.” Neha is also CR’s patient taking treatments for her epilepsy. “She is much better now.”
From a young age, Neha has been a part of Calcutta Rescue’s School-1 Education project (now Paathshaala Education project) working hard to find her place in this world.
Last year, Neha’s family faced an unimaginable loss when her father passed away. As the sole breadwinner, his absence left the family in deep financial distress.
Neha’s mother, forced to work as a domestic worker, stepped up to support her children, taking on the burden of keeping their dreams alive.
“My daughter has always been a very good student. And it was both mine and her father’s dreams to see all of our children completing their studies and be established in their lives. I can’t let her stop her studies.”
Calcutta Rescue stood beside the family. Not only we helped Neha but also her two brothers are Cr students as well, it lessened the pressure on Neha’s mother.
Despite the hardships, Neha remained steadfast in her pursuit of education, finding strength in her mother’s sacrifices and the encouragement of Calcutta Rescue.
This year, Neha’s hard work bore fruit when she passed her Higher Secondary (class 12 board exams) with an impressive 74% in the humanities stream. She is also awarded with the prestigious scholarship
Neha dreams of becoming a professor and inspiring others with the power of knowledge. She knows the road ahead will be long and challenging, but her determination to succeed shines brightly. Her two younger brothers, also students of Calcutta Rescue, look up to her as a role model, drawing inspiration from her unwavering dedication.
Neha’s journey is a powerful reminder of how resilience, education, and support can transform lives. With Calcutta Rescue by her side, she continues to move closer to her dreams, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable when hope and perseverance lead the way.
