New Delhi: When you first speak to Sushma Verma, she comes across as a normal teenager. She loves playing with her little sister, studies when she wants and aims to make her parents proud. But this teen is far more impressive than your average student. At the age of 13, when most children her age are in school, Sushma is making her mark in college.
The daughter of a daily-wage earner in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, she has surprised academicians with her single-minded focus on her current goal — to get her post graduate degree in Microbiology.
Considered the youngest science graduate in the country last year, she is currently enrolled in Lucknow’s Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University for her Masters in Science.
“It’s an altogether new life at the University. Both, the environment and the faculty are amazing and I do not mind at all that I am not able to become a doctor as soon as I would have liked,” Sushma said.
Sushma cannot sit for the Combined Pre-Medical Test because she is under age. She has no choice but to wait until she is 17 to see her dream come true and instead plans to do a PhD next.
The child prodigy has been hitting the headlines for years now. She first came into the spotlight in 2007 when she was entered into the Limca Book of Records for being the youngest student in the country to complete Class 10 at the age of 7.
Prod her on what she prefers doing when she is not studying, the teenager remarks, “I like to play with my two-year-old sister, Ananya.”
She speaks to Gulf News in an exclusive interview.
GULF NEWS: What study routine did you follow to reach this education level?
SUSHMA VERMA: I do not believe in setting a timetable and always study when I feel like it. I would also advise students to not waste time by sitting with books in front of them when their mind is not in their studies. Because, a wavering mind can never help anyone. I study for only 2-3 hours daily and during that time my concentration level is high and I am fully engrossed in my books.
How did you manage to get admission in Class 9 when you first went to school at the age of 5?
Though I knew I could even pass Class 10 at that time, rules and regulations did not allow me to do so. I was told that to appear for the High School examinations, it was mandatory to first clear Class 9, hence was forced to secure admission in Class 9. Until then, I was tutored at home and used to read my brother Shailendra’s school books. He is older than me and taught me mathematics and English, while our father tutored me in Hindi.
How supportive have your parents been regarding your education?
My parents are very understanding and although not educated, they realise the importance of education, which is beginning to make a difference to our lives.
My father earns just about Rs200 (Dh12) a day. And our one-room house has the bare minimum facilities. But when my father saw my name in the merit list, he somehow managed to pay the initial fee of Rs25,000 and encouraged me to study further. Never once did he wince or worry about how he would fund my studies. Later, we came to know that he had sold a small piece of land he owned to pay for my education. On discovering this, I was very touched and have resolved to do him proud.
My brother is equally brilliant. He cleared Class 10 from the National Open School at the age of 9 with 55 per cent marks. He holds the distinction of being the youngest computer science graduate from Lucknow University at the age of 14 with 75 per cent marks. At present, at the age of 20, he is pursuing a Masters in Computers Application (MCA) from St John’s College in Bengaluru.
What are your future plans?
I wanted to do my MBBS, but I cannot appear for the test before the age of 17. Left with no option, I had to change my mind and opted to get my Masters. But my dream is to become a doctor and serve the nation by helping the poor and needy.
Many students apply for scholarships to study abroad. Do you have any such plans?
If any such opportunity arises, I would feel blessed. But I don’t think it makes any difference whether we study in India or abroad. Since we have the best medical facilities in India as well, I would like to practice medicine in my own country. A while back, my brother got an offer to study abroad, but due to our financial condition, it did not materialise.
Who are your best friends? And how much time do you spend with them?
My books are my best friends! But I get along well with all my classmates. Although they are older than me, I never feel intimidated. In fact, studying with older students is nothing new for me and I have become accustomed to it now. They are very helpful and supportive of me and treat me as an equal.
After your achievements were highlighted in the media, various sectors offered help. But how did the family cope before that?
I find it complex to convey in words the difficulties we have gone through. And I feel that, had we been living in a better environment, I would have certainly scored even better. While I was doing my graduation, we studied, ate and slept in the small one-room rented house, with relatives and friends coming in and out of that room. And soon after the results were out, we were asked to vacate the premises. We searched for a place near Lucknow University, where I wished to study, so that commuting would be easier. Now, we are residing in the village of Barigawan on Kanpur Road and the one room dilapidated house is even smaller than the previous one.
But with financial assistance offered by many individuals and organisations, your parents can look for better options?
We heard several announcements for financial assistance, but it was only Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh Social Services Organisation, who honoured me by providing two cheques for Rs500,000 and Rs300,000. He also gifted me other useful gadgets like an iPhone and a laptop for personal use. Since higher education requires a lot of money, I suppose, my parents have secured the gifted amount for my further studies. And our living condition remains the same.
