91 per cent Isn’t helping Mumbra topper

Seated on a mat in her modest, two-room home, Saima reiterates her ambition: she wants to be a doctor. But her single mother, Sultana — failing to manage the expenses (see box) that come with her daughter’s dreams — wonders if that will be possible.

‘‘Classes for the entrance test begin in December. But the admission process has already started,’’ Saima says and goes back to helping two little boys learn the Arabic alphabet. Her mother continues: ‘‘Abhi tak kahin se bhi madad nahi mili (We haven’t received help from anyone yet).’’ Some people have offered to help but Sultana is worried it won’t suffice. ‘‘Koi aur chahe to hi hamare sapne pure ho sakte hain (Our dreams can be fulfiled only if someone else helps),’’ she rues.