Teen becomes first to pass class 10 in UP village

Barabanki

In a remarkable achievement for Nizampur, a small village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district, 15-year-old Ramkeval has become the first person from his village to pass the class 10 board exams since India’s independence. Nizampur, a village of 300 residents, mainly from the Dalit community, is located about 30 km from Barabanki.

The eldest of four siblings, Ramkeval supported his family by doing odd jobs during the day, working in wedding processions where he earned Rs 250 to 300 daily. Despite returning home late, he studied under a solar lamp for two hours each night. He faced mockery from some villagers who doubted his ability to succeed, but Ramkeval remained determined.

On Sunday, District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi honored Ramkeval and his parents for this historic achievement, offering support for his future education. Ramkeval shared his struggles, noting that poverty pushed him to do various jobs, but his desire to study never wavered.

Ramkeval dreams of becoming an engineer, though he still finds it hard to believe he passed his exams. His mother, Pushpa, a cook at the village school, expressed pride in her son’s success, despite her own limited education. His father, Jagdish, a daily wage laborer, supported Ramkeval’s studies, encouraging him to study after work.

Ramkeval’s story has inspired other students in the village, including Lovelesh and Mukesh, to focus more on their education, showing that determination can overcome any obstacle.