In a landmark achievement for Nizampur, a remote hamlet in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district, 15-year-old Ramkeval has become the first student from the village to clear the Class 10 board examinations since India’s independence.
Located about 30 km from Barabanki, Nizampur has a population of approximately 300, predominantly from the Dalit community. Ramkeval, the eldest of four siblings, has long juggled studies and daily wage work to support his family. His dedication bore fruit this year when he passed his board exams, setting a precedent for the entire village.
The teenager studied at the Government Inter College in Ahmedpur, near his village. Sharing his journey, Ramkeval said he often worked at wedding processions, carrying lights to earn ₹250–₹300 a day. Despite returning late at night, he studied under a solar lamp for at least two hours daily. “Some people mocked me, saying I’d never pass high school. But I always believed I would prove them wrong,” he recalled.
On Sunday (May 4), District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi honoured Ramkeval and his parents, acknowledging the young student’s grit and resilience. “He is a symbol of determination and an inspiration for all,” the DM said, assuring full support for the boy’s further education.
Ramkeval dreams of becoming an engineer. “It still feels surreal. It will take time to believe that I’ve really passed,” he said. According to his teachers and family, he has always been a bright and consistent student.
His mother Pushpa, a cook at the village primary school, said, “I studied till class five, but I want all my children to go much further. I always believed in Ramkeval.” His father, Jagdish, a daily wage labourer, added, “I couldn’t study, but I always supported him. Even when he came to work with me, he never skipped his studies.”
District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), O.P. Tripathi, lauded the boy’s achievement: “Ramkeval has shown others in the village that success is possible. He is a role model. We are committed to supporting his journey ahead.”
The impact of his success is already being felt. Students like Lovelesh and Mukesh, who failed the exam this year, have resolved to work harder. Lovelesh’s father, Nanku, who works in the fields, expressed hope: “I studied till class 8. I don’t want my son to end up like me. Education is the way forward.”
The village, long accustomed to academic setbacks, is abuzz with renewed hope. Women in the community have expressed their resolve to educate their children, inspired by Ramkeval’s example.
In a village where dreams were once limited by poverty and circumstance, Ramkeval’s achievement marks not just a personal triumph, but a turning point for future generations.
