Toto driver’s daughter joint topper in Madrasah, hawker’s daughter 3rd

Malda: The very act of attending school every day was a struggle for Sahida Parvin from Ratua in Malda, whose father could hardly make ends meet by driving a toto (e-rickshaw) in their village. But for Samsujjoha, his daughter's education was a priority. Sahida, who attended Battala Adarsha High Madrasah, found her world in her books. Her teachers were there to encourage her. On Saturday, when the High Madrasah results were published, Sahida found her name at the top of the merit list as she scored 780 out of 800.
Sahida's father Samsujjoha and mother Sayema Biwi, a homemaker, had no idea how to celebrate, but the big smiles on their faces couldn't hide their worries. Sahida's dream is to become a doctor. But Samsujjoha is at his wits' end, trying to figure how he is going to help his daughter realise her dream, given his meagre earnings.

Sahida shares the top rank with another girl from Malda—Fahamida Yasmin, a student of Bhagabanpur High Madrasah School in Chanchal—who, too, scored 780. Fahamida's father teaches at a school. At the second rank is Shamsur Nahar, a student of Islampur Sagar High Madrasah School, also in Chanchal, who has scored 776 out of 800.
The third on the merit list is Alifnur Khatun, a student of Mahammadia High Madrasah at Kaliachak in Malda. Her father, Rezaul Islam, is a hawker with no regular income, while her mother, Rabina Biwi, has to bind bidis for a living. But the hardship at home could not deter Alifnur from putting her heart in her studies. Days of labour paid off with Alifnur securing 772 out of 800 and bagging the third rank in Bengal. She, too, dreams of becoming a medical practitioner.
Among the 15 students, holding the first 10 ranks in High Madrasah, 12 are girls, most of them from economically backward families. Their academic achievements gain even more significance, given the everyday challenges they have to face. Father of Sabnam Banu from Samsi in Malda, who stood 5th in the state, is an autorickshaw driver, while 10th rank-holder Anjuman Nesha's from Chanchal father is a bakery worker. Their success certainly sets an example, but it cannot erase the uncertainty that hangs on their future.
In Alim, students from Jalpaiguri are at the lead of the merit list, followed by those in North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. The first rank-holder is Syed Alam Mondal from Jalpaiguri, who has scored 873, the second rank-holder is Masum Billah Gazi, also from Jalpaiguri, who has secured 870 marks, and the third rank-holder is Mohammad Omar Farooq.
A total of 4,713 students appeared for the HS-equivalent Fazil examination, conducted by the West Bengal Madrasah Education Board. Cooch Behar led the merit list, followed by Nadia in second place and North 24 Parganas in third. Yamin Sheikh from South 24 Parganas has ranked first in Fazil with 562 marks, while the second position is being jointly held by Raihan Hossain from South 24 Parganas and Bakibillah Gain from Hooghly. Their score is 559. Abdul Halim from Murshidabad has secured the third position.