Bajura: Menaka BK, a conflict victim, of Bajura passed this year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination with distinction. She is the topper among girls who passed this year’s SLC from the district.

BK of Jagannath VDC lost her father when she was seven. Her teacher-father Saddhan BK was killed by the Nepal Army during the armed conflict nine years ago.

She was left in a lurch after her mother got second marriage four years, following her husband’s killing.

Elated BK said, tears of happiness welled up in her eyes when she heard of her success.

 BK, who sat from Bartadi-based Badimalika Boarding School (BBS) in the test, secured 81.5 percent in the SLC examination.  BK pursued her studies up to class seven at Bal Mandir run by Nepal Bal Kalyan Committee, an NGO working for the welfare conflict victims. She studied in class 8 in Sujan Boarding School at Kolti and grade 9 and 10 in BBS.

Her teachers hailed Menaka’s success. “BK did proud not only the Dalit community, but all the people the district,” said her relative Binita BK.

She however is worried about her further education. Willing to take up a nursing course, she fears that her ambition might not be fulfilled for want of money. She appealed to good Samaritans to support in her further studies.

Another conflict victim Ushavi Kiran Rokaya from the same district passed the exam securing 80 percent. All together 2041 students passed the SLC from the district while nine of them secured distinction.

source: Shahi, Arjun(2011),"SLC 'topper' seeks support", The Kathmandu Post, 29 June 2011