Triumph over silence, darkness and barriers: Woman with multiple disabilities clears class 12 exam

Indore, May 6 (PTI) Gurdeep Kaur Vasu, a 34-year-old woman from Indore who cannot speak, hear, or see, has made history by passing the Class 12 board examination, an extraordinary achievement fuelled by her courage and passion for learning.

According to the results declared by the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) on Tuesday, Gurdeep scored 207 out of 400 marks and passed in the second division.

Officials stated that she is the first student in the educational history of the state to take the Class 12 exams in subjects including English, Geography, Political Science, and Drawing and Designing, despite her unique challenges.

As per MPBSE rules, she was provided with a writer during the examination.

Anand Service Society, a non-governmental organisation working for the welfare of the disabled in the city, has been helping Gurdeep with studies for the last several years.

Monika Purohit, director of the organisation and an expert in sign language, told PTI that Gurdeep communicates through sign language by pressing the hands and fingers.

"To convey our messages, we also press her hands and fingers in the sign language," she said, adding that special books with Braille script were ordered from Dehradun for Gurdeep's studies.

Notably, the writer who assisted Gurdeep during the exams was also deaf and mute, making this achievement even more inspiring, she said.

A festive atmosphere now surrounds Gurdeep’s family. Her younger sister Harpreet communicated with her through sign language. Gurdeep expressed her desire to continue her education, gain college admission, and learn how to operate a computer.

Harpreet added that Gurdeep is also seeking a government job in the Class IV category under the Divyang quota, alongside her studies.

"Our family wants Gurdeep to get a government job so she can be self-reliant," she said. PTI HWP ADU NSK