Dhar (Madhya Pradesh): Shobhram, a resident of Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district travelled on a bicycle with his son for around 85 kilometres to ensure he appear for his Class 10 supplementary exam being conducted under the state government's "Ruk Jana Nahin" scheme.
The tribal labourer, who hails from Manawar Tehsil in Dhar district said he has no other choice as public transport was unavailable.
"I want my son to become something after completing his studies. There is no public transport in lockdown. I don't have even a motorcycle so I have to cover the journey on a bicycle. I saved money for his form for the exam by doing 'majdoori' (daily wage work). I am a farmer but mostly do daily wage work," Shobhram said.
Shobhram's son Ashish has to appear for his maths exam on Tuesday so they left their home on Monday afternoon. They spent the night in Mandav and reached the examination centre in Dhar a few minutes before the time.
Due to lack of accommodation in Dhar, they also kept three days' food with them.
He said he will stay in Dhar till August 24 when his son’s examinations will get over. He has brought food grains and other essential items to cook meals stuffed in a gunny bag which he carried on the bicycle.
Ashish on Wednesday took the social science exam.
"I came on the bicycle as the buses were not operating. I took exams of maths and social science. I want to become a big officer. I also pedalled the cycle for some distance," he said.
Dhar District Magistrate Alok Singh said that the man would have got some help if he had approached any official.
"The administration has made district headquarters as the centre of exams. If the person had approached tehsildar or any other official then he could have got some help. Many vehicles are also plying," he said.
Assistant commissioner, Tribals Welfare department in Dhar district Brijesh Chandra Pandey said, “I came to know about the painstaking efforts of both father and son. It’s really inspiring. Since they are supposed to stay here till August 24, we have made an arrangement for their lodging and food and we will also make arrangements for their travel back to their village.”
(ANI REPORT)
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