Since he was young, the new ISRO recruit has always wanted to be a scientist.
Baytu, a small idyllic tehsil in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, has unforgiving weather conditions. Summers are especially unbearable, with temperatures reaching record highs. A young Chunaram would walk the 4 kilometres, barefoot, from his village to his school, determined to gain knowledge.
His perseverance as a child paid off-the resident of Baytu has secured the 12th rank, in an all-India level ISRO exam.
The scientist was given a warm welcome on reaching the Veer Tejaji Hostel at Balotara in Barmer district, Rajasthan on Monday. Addressing the students, he gave them useful tips on how to achieve success. Various voluntary organisations also welcomed him.
Chunaram’s father, expectantly proud, told The Times of India that their house had no electricity and how the young lad would study in the dim light from the chimney. He also added how Chunaram would walk on the hot desert sand to reach school. Further, the family was going through a difficult financial situation, causing the elder son Kishan Kumar to forgo his education to work at a factory from an early age.
Chunaram has wanted to be a scientist since childhood, determined to study despite tough circumstances. After relentless toil, the young man went to a government middle school 4 km away, later joining Navodaya School at Pachpadra, where he topped Class XII and won a gold medal. Years later, he achieved the all-India 12th rank at the ISRO Central Recruitment Board Exam in 2017.
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Chunaram Dhatarwal is no ordinary success story. He credits his achievement to his parents and elder brother, and his teacher Chimnaram Jani, who guided him throughout. Hence, it is little wonder that on the cusp of joining ISRO, the budding scientist identifies Dr Abdul Kalam as his idol.
Featured image courtesy: Facebook.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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