The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Budhia is now a school drop-out

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 10, 2007
ePaper

Other States

Other States - Orissa

Budhia is now a school drop-out

Authorities want him back

File photo

Wonder kid Bhudia with his mother. –

Bhubaneswar: Six-year-old child marathon sensation Budhia Singh is now a school drop out like many of his age at Salia Sahi, the biggest slum here.

Budhia has stopped attending school since more than a fortnight, said J K Mohanty, principal of the BJEM (Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium) School here.

Popular among the students and teachers, Buddhia was studying in the upper nursery class in the school. He was an inspiration for other children at the school, said the principal adding that the school authorities want him to continue studies.

No bread-winner

Budhia’s mother Sukanti said the distance to the school, situated at the other end of the city, is too long and she could not take the kid daily there as she is the only bread earner in the family.

“I will lose the entire day, if I take him to school. I am the only earning member of the family, I need to work to buy food for my four children including Budhia,” she said.

The wonder kid, who had set a record by running a distance of 65 km at a stretch from Puri to Bhubaneswar in 2005, said he would like to continue his studies.

“I miss my school and friends. I wish to attend the classes but no one takes me there,” the boy told PTI.

Budhia had stopped going to school ever since he was separated from his trainer Biranchi Das in August after his mother lodged an FIR saying he had tortured the boy. - PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States