Midnapore student takes board exam hours after mother’s death

Midnapore: Despite her mother's death hours earlier, an HS examinee appeared for her Sanskrit paper on Thursday before rushing to the morgue where her mother's body was kept. Bilkis Khatun (18) still has two more exams next week. Khatun, a resident of Miyan Bazar in Midnapore Town, is a student of Vidyasagar Vidyapith Girls School. Her exam centre was at Mission Girls School, located approximately 4km from her home.Khatun's mother, Sultana Begum (42), suddenly fell ill on Wednesday evening. She was rushed to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital but tragically died en route. Doctors stated the woman had been suffering from multiple health complications, including hypertension and cholesterol-related issues. An autopsy was conducted on Thursday to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The news shattered the family, including Bilkis and her elder sister, a college student. Bilkis reportedly lost consciousness around midnight; however, her family urged her not to abandon the examination she had prepared months for. Despite her grief, she completed her exam on Thursday before heading to the morgue.Swati Bandyopadhyay, the school headmistress, lauded her grit: "Once we learned of the tragedy, we extended our condolences and counselled the student so she could appear for the examination in a composed manner."Ramjiban Mandi, coordinator of the Higher Secondary examination committee, added: "Despite being in mourning, she sat for the exam. Very few possess such grit and commitment."