Ahmedabad: Nitin Kumar Paswan, 15, has a 60% disability and cannot use his hands, but his ability to deal with life’s tests has bolstered his determination to take the Class 10 board exams by writing with his foot. The boy from Khokhra was born with the condition, and examination rules make him eligible to get a writer’s assistance. However, Nitin chose to decline that help and instead deploy a skill he mastered over the years. Nitin, a student of Rashtrabharati Hindi High School, he has practised writing with his feet since early childhood. What began as a necessity gradually turned into a strength. Through daily practice at home, he developed neat writing and the speed required to complete exam papers within the stipulated time. From Class 1 to this day, he has taken every exam without any assistance. His father, Shrikkrishna Paswan, works at a brick kiln to support the family, while his mother contributes by making incense sticks. Despite financial challenges, Nitin’s parents encouraged his education and independence. Securing admission to school was not easy. Several private schools initially denied him entry due to his disability. Nitin continued learning at home. A local municipal schoolteacher eventually intervened and helped him get admission to a municipal school, where he studied from Classes 1 to 8. He later enrolled at Rashtrabharati School for Classes 9 and 10. Nitin said he believes writing the exam himself will help him perform better. He aspires to a career with the railways.
