Shiyojiram, SSC!

Then take show business. For years the late Gregory Peck, from the time he made his debut in the mid-8217;40s, was one of Hollywood8217;s leading actors. But the best actor Oscar eluded him, time and time again. He had to wait until 8217;69 before he finally bagged the award for To Kill a Mockingbird. Even this year, veteran sound mixer Kevin O8217;Connell 8212; nominated for his work in Memoirs of a Geisha 8212; lost out to the sound mixer team of King Kong. It was O8217;Connell8217;s 18th nomination in 24 years. He will try again and again for that elusive Oscar!

I hope that 71-year-old Shiyojiram, from Khosari village in Rajasthan8217;s Alwar district, is also such an optimist. He recently appeared for the SSC examination for the 37th time. According to his neighbours, Shiyojiram has dedicated his life to clearing the SSC examination and would consider marriage only after having done so.

This is indeed true grit. Considering the fact that passing examinations these days is no big deal, I wonder why Shiyojiram keeps on failing. Hasn8217;t he heard of guides, solutions to question papers, coaching classes, and so on? It is also regrettable that he has not got married for this very reason. Perhaps, he should go ahead and tie the knot without further ado. Who knows, perhaps his wife will provide him with the required inspiration and intellectual spark to break the SSC barrier.

The apathy of the Rajastan government should be condemned. Here is a 71-year-old man who has paid fee for his 37 attempts to pass the SSC. It is high time the government rewarded Shiyojiram with an honorary SSC certificate. It should, besides, hand him a special perseverance award.