June 27: Fifteen-year-old Vijay Dhondu Kalamkar coped easily with his `handicap'. More than his polio-afflicted legs, it was the economic handicap that he found hard to overcome while studying for the SSC exams this year.

The son of a mazdoor working at Kohinoor Mills in Dadar, Vijay topped the handicapped candidates by notching 87.46 per cent marks from Arvind Gandbhir High School in Jogeshwari.

``I have four elder sisters, and yes, I did feel the money crunch midway through my studies. "But I was fortunate to win a scholarship of Rs 200 per month from school, and some of my teachers also helped me personally,'' reveals Vijay.

Vijay, who wants to pursue computer science reminisced how his school had helped him in every way for his exams. ``When my teachers realised that I had difficulty in climbing the first floor, they shifted me immediately to a ground floor classroom. I shall always remain grateful to them for this,'' he stated.

He never found studies boring or tiring. ``I used to study for six hours every day, but I would have been happier if I had figured in the general merit list instead of this one.''

Unlike the other rankers, he does not want to join the D G Ruparel College, Matunga, due to the distance. Instead, he will take admission in Ismail Yousuf College in Jogeshwari.

Vijay has also won prizes for oratory in school. His English teacher M V Jathar said he stood out because ``he is brilliant and extremely ambitious''.Winner all the way, Vijay.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.