All of 10 (but turning 11 next month, as she’ll point out right away!), Sushma Verma is like any other bright kid her age. Except for one little difference — she’s just got admission into college! For someone who never went to school until she was five, this story is the talk of Lucknow town from where Sushma comes. “Sushma came to us when she was just five. She had loads of talent even then, and she could already read a good portion of the Ramayana, I believe, from the age of two and a half. By five years and six months, she was able to read a newspaper! We gave her admission into Class IX,” recalls Anita Ratra, Principal, St. Meera’s Inter College, Lucknow, adding, “She scored 61.5 per cent in Class IX, in her first ever exam.”
This leap of faith was all that was required. Sushma never looked back, and eventually gained admission to a B.Sc programme at CMS Girl’s Degree College, Lucknow University.
“I eventually want to become a doctor. Post my B.Sc., I will appear in the pre-medical admission test,” says this young lady, who is still not clear where she wants to practice. “It could be a village or a big town... I am leaving this decision for the future,” she says as if looking into the future.
But this calmness about the future didn’t come easily. Sushma wanted to go for the big dream right away. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen since the Medical Council of India’s rules require an aspirant to be 17. Besides age, the other big challenge was finance. She points to the example of her brother, Shailendra. “He taught himself, and passed Class XII, as well as SAT and TOEFL, and he got admission to a Bachelor of Computer Science programme at a university in the US, but he couldn’t pursue it because we didn’t have the money,” she says ruefully.
When it comes to her though, she’s fairly optimistic. “There have been problems, but there has been generous support too. Not only have I been supported financially by my school, but also motivated by the teachers to help me stand out in a crowd. My teachers have given me extra classes whenever required and they have helped me get to this position.”
So, apart from her dream of becoming a doctor, what else does Sushma like to do? “I love computers, maths and playing badminton. Listening to music and singing are my other favourite activities. I’m happy with the way things have gone and are going in my life. Even sitting with classmates much older than me is no problem. Everyone appreciates and encourages me,” she says contentedly.
Here’s hoping your dreams come true, Sushma!