We are in Chandpur village in Odisha's Jajpur district. Jhillirani offers us a chair to sit whereas Niranjan, her husband orders some soft drink from a nearby shop. Soon a group of people assemble, and one of them says in Odiya, "they must have come to take the interview." And then we realise that we are sitting in one of the most well-known and respected houses in the village. People respect Niranjan Das and Jhillirani Malik because they both completed studies till 10th-grade and are now preparing for the 12th-grade exams. Hence, their story is one of the most inspiring and amazing stories from Pratham's 'Second Chance' program.
Niranjan recalls that he belonged to a poor family and had to start working at a very young age. He studied till 9th grade but then opted to earn money and hence discontinued his studies. This was in 1996, and in the same year, he chose to move to Hyderabad. He worked there for some years, and finally decided to return back to Odisha in 2012. During his stay at Hyderabad, he realised that there are many opportunities to work, but all he misses is the 10th-grade certificate. Meanwhile, during one of his visits to Odisha in 2009, he married Jhillirani.
Jhillirani had dropped out of school in 2006, and she too had no family backing owing to a poor financial background. She chose to contribute to household work until Niranjan came back to the village in 2012. "He likes to read, and he used to bring books at home to read", she says, pointing towards her husband. "But his motivation was to complete education until 10th", she says. Jhillirani admits that her husband's love for books and his resolve to study was the reason for her motivation as well! Hence, both of them lost no time in opting to join Pratham's Second Chance program, and this was in 2016.
"However, there was one problem", recalls Niranjan. "I could not skip my work, and hence I asked her to attend classes all days, and attended only twice a week." Jhiilirani admits that it was a difficult task, as she had to be very attentive and narrate everything to Niranjan at home. "We both studied and many times stretched it till 2 in the morning", he says. But both of them thank their family members and acknowledge their cooperation which helped them achieve success. "We have two daughters, one is 6 years old, and the other is 4 years old. My family members attended to their needs and ensured that we were able to study", says Niranjan. Both of them, however, acknowledge that the teaching method by the 'Second Chance' faculty was very positive and it helped them generate interest in the subject. They also agree that the entire experience of getting back to studies and passing the 10th-grade examination transformed their personality. "The best thing is that we can talk to people with proper eye contact", says Jhillirani. "...and we can also ensure a bright future for our children", says Niranjan.
Both of them are now studying for their 12th-grade examination. Niranjan plans to change his job, whereas Jhillirani will apply for a new one. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours.
Niranjan recalls that he belonged to a poor family and had to start working at a very young age. He studied till 9th grade but then opted to earn money and hence discontinued his studies. This was in 1996, and in the same year, he chose to move to Hyderabad. He worked there for some years, and finally decided to return back to Odisha in 2012. During his stay at Hyderabad, he realised that there are many opportunities to work, but all he misses is the 10th-grade certificate. Meanwhile, during one of his visits to Odisha in 2009, he married Jhillirani.
Jhillirani had dropped out of school in 2006, and she too had no family backing owing to a poor financial background. She chose to contribute to household work until Niranjan came back to the village in 2012. "He likes to read, and he used to bring books at home to read", she says, pointing towards her husband. "But his motivation was to complete education until 10th", she says. Jhillirani admits that her husband's love for books and his resolve to study was the reason for her motivation as well! Hence, both of them lost no time in opting to join Pratham's Second Chance program, and this was in 2016.
"However, there was one problem", recalls Niranjan. "I could not skip my work, and hence I asked her to attend classes all days, and attended only twice a week." Jhiilirani admits that it was a difficult task, as she had to be very attentive and narrate everything to Niranjan at home. "We both studied and many times stretched it till 2 in the morning", he says. But both of them thank their family members and acknowledge their cooperation which helped them achieve success. "We have two daughters, one is 6 years old, and the other is 4 years old. My family members attended to their needs and ensured that we were able to study", says Niranjan. Both of them, however, acknowledge that the teaching method by the 'Second Chance' faculty was very positive and it helped them generate interest in the subject. They also agree that the entire experience of getting back to studies and passing the 10th-grade examination transformed their personality. "The best thing is that we can talk to people with proper eye contact", says Jhillirani. "...and we can also ensure a bright future for our children", says Niranjan.
Both of them are now studying for their 12th-grade examination. Niranjan plans to change his job, whereas Jhillirani will apply for a new one. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours.
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