India’s reaction after child write exam on day of losing mother
Economist Sanjeev Sanyal delivered a sharp rebuke of societal values after a report emerged about a Kolkata student who appeared for her board exam despite her mother’s tragic passing in a road accident.
Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), Sanyal remarked, “It’s a sign we’ve lost our way as a society when a child is led to believe that an exam matters more than losing her mother.”
The student, preparing for her Class X ICSE math test, lost her mother just before reaching the exam hall. With police assistance, she still sat for the exam and completed it.
Sanyal’s words ignited a heated discussion. Some demanded reforms, while others defended the student’s choice as a reflection of life’s harsh realities.
One user praised her resolve, stating, “She made the right call. It’s a three-hour test, and she worked hard for it. Respect.”
Sanyal clarified that his critique was aimed at societal norms, not the child, stressing that supplementary exams were an option.
Debates followed on the intense pressure tied to board exams, with suggestions for a flexible testing system. Others highlighted workplace parallels, citing companies that deny leave even for personal loss.
Many criticized the education system for fostering fear over genuine learning. One user aptly summed it up: “Degrees have replaced true knowledge. Survival, not education, is the goal.”
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