Can’t pay fee, Punjab calligraphy champ may opt out of school

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, December 9

For 13-year-old Sahil Masih, who stood first in the Punjab State School Calligraphy Championship in Mohali on December 8, continuing school seems next to impossible.

His father, a foundry worker, does not have enough money to fund his studies.

Masih, a Class VIII student of Government High School, Dharamkot Bagga, Gurdaspur district, has won the district-level and inter-zone championships (one zone comprises eight districts) before being selected for the state-level meet.

His father Romi Masih said: “It is difficult for me to make ends meet, let alone funding my son’s education. We are a family of five and things are only getting worse.”

“Most foundries in the area have become dysfunctional, following which I am finding it difficult to run the household. Life is a dream for the rich, but for people like us, who hardly get to eat two square meals a day, it is no less than a tragedy. There have been days when my family had to sleep on an empty stomach. Sahil will join me soon,” said Romi with a choked voice.

Krishen Kumar, Secretary (Education), said he was apprised of Sahil’s condition, adding that he would do everything possible to ensure he continued his studies. “I will do whatever is in my power to ensure the youngster completes his schooling. We hardly get to see such a talent. His writing is akin to poetry in motion. His teachers tell me that he is one of the most intelligent students they have seen in years. The bottom line is that he will continue his education even if his family is unable to bear the expenses,” Kumar said.

However, a dejected Romi Masih said he had no option, but to pull out his son from school. Principal Subash Chander said: “When Sahil was just 10, he was influenced by Punjabi teacher Jaspal Singh and computer tutor Balram Singh. The handwriting of both these teachers is exemplary. Sahil used to spend hours with them honing his skills. The boy definitely writes well, but destiny seems to have written something against him.”