Defying odds, special needs students shine in board exams

Jaipur: Overcoming physical and intellectual challenges with determination and consistent effort, two Jaipur students with special needs delivered exceptional performances in the Class 12 board examinations, emerging as an inspiration for many.

Among them is Devina Bhati, a student of Dharav High School, who secured 95.2% in the Humanities stream despite suffering from a mild intellectual developmental disorder. Her achievement, family members said, came through relentless hard work and strong family support.

Bhati said hobbies such as dance and music played a major role in keeping her motivated during her studies. “Along with studies, hobbies like dance and music kept me going and motivated me to do better. Now I want to take up skill-based education, which can help me build a financially viable career,” she said.

Her father, Sanjay Bhati, said Devina began facing difficulty with calculations from Class 9 onwards, after which she shifted focus to subjects better suited to her abilities. “Despite the difficulties, Devina is a very dedicated student and used to read a lot to revise the concepts multiple times, which reflected in the way she explained the answers to the scribe and ultimately secured 95.2%,” he said.

Giving a message to parents of children with special needs, he added, “The right support from parents can be game-changing for such children because it helps them accept themselves and then excel in whatever they choose to pursue.”

Another student, Pratyaksh Verma of Sanskar School, scored 92% in the Humanities stream despite living with cerebral palsy. He appeared for the board exams with the help of his junior and scribe, Goral Shekhawat, who also practised with him during pre-boards to build coordination ahead of the exams.

Sharing his journey, Verma said, “Till Class 9, I did not face much difficulty in studies, but from Class 10 onwards, I needed support. That is when my school and classmates helped me throughout. My mantra was self-study and choosing subjects I liked. I never took tuitions and trusted my preparation.”

Verma now aims to pursue higher education in Economics and prepare for the civil services examination. Besides academics, he actively participated in school activities and was also a member of the Student Council.