2% vision, 100% grit, 92% marks

She could barely read what was written on the blackboard in her class. At home, she would study with the help of magnifying glasses.

But with just 2 per cent vision, Soma Patnaik of DAV Public School, Gurgaon, has scored 92.6 per cent marks in her Class X exam. Soma, is suffering from acute Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) since birth.

RP patients usually lose their vision by the age of 30. Both of Soma’s retinas are damaged and cannot be replaced. In fact, Soma’s parents were asked to admit their daughter in a school for the visually-handicapped.

“I know that I am going to lose my vision. But I am mentally prepared. I have started learning Braille,” says a brave Soma. “My score would have been better if I had not lost marks in Sanskrit.

I couldn’t attempt a few questions because I couldn’t read them,” adds Soma, who has learnt to brave all odds.