Atul Kumar- the boy who never gave-up
Explore the inspiring story of Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, whose resilience and determination led to his admission at IIT Dhanbad after a technical mishap nearly shattered his dreams.
I returned just yesterday from a visit to Epic Public School in Cooch Behar, where I was quite chuffed to see the young minds showcasing their talents in creative writing and public speaking. I also made a stop in Mandabari, where Epic Public School has established a free school along with other training programmes for tribal children. Honestly, I was truly touched by the profound thoughts and ideas these youngsters had to offer. It’s always a treat to witness such budding talent and their unwavering dedication to learning. Take, for instance, Atul Kumar from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh—an absolute cracker of a lad!
The story of Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old lad from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, whose tale has become the talk of the town, and rightly so. Now, this young man had done something quite spectacular. In June, he discovered that he had passed a particularly gruelling exam, allowing him to secure a spot at one of India’s top technology institutes—the prestigious IIT Dhanbad, no less. Cue the celebrations, right? Well, not quite.
The next step was to pay a fee of 17,500 rupees (a rather hefty sum for his family), to confirm his place. His father, bless him, managed to scrape together the money, borrowing it from who knows where, but fate had a cruel twist in store. Due to some technical glitch, Atul missed the payment deadline by mere seconds! Can you imagine? All that hard work, seemingly down the drain over a technical hiccup. If it were me, I’d have been climbing the walls!
But did Atul and his family give up? Not on your nelly! They filed petitions, went to court, and refused to let the dream slip away. And just this week, in what can only be described as a stroke of luck, India’s Supreme Court stepped in and ruled that Atul’s admission would be restored. The court even invoked its extraordinary constitutional powers, saying, “we cannot allow such a young talented boy to go away.” A proper goosebumps moment, wouldn’t you agree?
It’s stories like Atul’s that make you realise just how much grit and determination these students have. The IITs are, after all, the crème de la crème of technology colleges in India, with over a million hopefuls vying for around 18,000 spots. For Atul, this was a ticket to a brighter future, and thanks to the persistence of his family—and the intervention of the courts—that future is still within reach.
In a world where we’re often bogged down by the headlines of doom and gloom, it’s heartening to see such tales of perseverance and hope. It reminds us that even when the odds seem insurmountable, with a bit of elbow grease and a lot of determination, the impossible can sometimes become possible. Atul’s story, much like the students I met at Mendabari and Epic Public School, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of youth. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!
Cover Picture sources : BBC
What's Your Reaction?
