Udupi: Down syndrome did not stop Malavika in achievement

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 18 May 2011: In the field of education the list of bright achievers grows day by day. But the achievers list among those who are physically / mentally weak is very rare. But in this rare list in the current year Malavika (17 years) of Manipal, Udupi District has joined. Being a special child with her achievement she has become the inspiration to her parents.

 

Malavika has been suffering from Down syndrome a rare sickness which makes weak physically and mentally, from her birth. After her S.S.L.C. Malavika has directly appeared for Second P.U.C. in Arts and passed with 45.66% marks. She is the second daughter of the couple Sooryanarayana Somayaji and Premalatha Somayaji of Eshwaranagar, Manipal.

 

 

Though Malavika has been suffering physically and mentally from her very young age, her parents did not set back, instead they looked after her like any other child and sent her to Engilsh medium school. After her primary education at Infant Jesus School in Manipal, she completed her S.S.L.C. in B.M. High School Parkala. In this year, through Sneha Tutorial College she has written the Second P.U.C. examinations. Another special fact is that she had scored 57% marks in S.S.L.C.

 

Her mother Premalatha who is currently in Badarinath for Vyshnodevi darshan, said over phone that, as we supported and encouraged her, she put her efforts and succeeded and become a role model. I am very happy about it. Even though the mental growth of my daughter is slow the encouragement of my husband and my other daughter Madhura gave me the strength, she said.

 

We supported her to study day and night, gave her Ayurvedic medicine and she studied without any fuss. We want her to see her life with self respect like everybody else and she has to take up the career as per her own choice, said Premalatha. Now since mother is away in Badarinath, her aunt, also an popular writer Vaidehi is taking care of Malavika.

 

Malavika scored 60 marks each in Sanskrit and Political Science, 39 in English, 35 in History, 37 Commerce and 43 in Social. Like any other normal student she has passed in second class. Even though when there is no much to study, she would still study everyday. Maliavika says that she finds Maths and Science bit difficult. I like any job oriented courses without those subjects, she says.

 

Down syndrome is a rare sickness from birth. This sickness related to brain reduces the growth mentally and physically. It weakens the memory power and muscles. There is no treatment for this. Only the patience and support of the parents and guardians would give the strength to the children of this sickness.

 

In the successful educational route Malavika’s parents have contributed a lot with their encouragement which has played a key role. Even the normal children can fail if there is not enough support from the parents and family. Parents love and care gives more confidence to the children. Parents should not scold the children for no reason.

 

Durings exams such as S.S.L.C. and P.U.C. the children will be scared and full of sentiments and nervousness. At this time they need lot of support and encouragement and should not scold or beat them. If they are not treated properly, even if they have interest to study it will vanish and will not be able to concentrate and sometimes intelligent students who were usually passing in first class also might fail. It is important for parents to take great caution on this.

-Udayavani