Hisar: In a remarkable story of determination, a visually impaired student secured an impressive 96.8% marks in the Class 10 exams after successfully fighting for permission to write the exam on a laptop.The approval was granted just three days before the exams began.Meghansh Soni, a student of Satluj Public School in Sirsa, battled for over a year to get permission to use assistive technology instead of a traditional writer. Despite initial approval, the permission was abruptly withdrawn days before the examination, forcing his family into a last-minute legal and administrative fight.Undeterred, Meghansh took all the exams using a laptop equipped with special software that enabled him to listen to typed text. He said he had always wanted to take the exam independently without a writer and had prepared accordingly.Meghansh’s parents, Ramta Soni and Kapil Soni, played a crucial role in supporting his efforts, pursuing the matter relentlessly with the CBSE and the authorities concerned. Eventually, the permission was reinstated just three days before the exams.Earlier, Meghansh’s parents fought a prolonged battle to ensure their son could study alongside regular students instead of being restricted to special arrangements. Their efforts paved the way for his admission and continued education in a mainstream classroom.The family also moved a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court in Aug 2024, raising broader issues related to accessibility — seeking provisions such as Braille marking on medicines and grocery items. The matter is currently under consideration.Navjeet Singh Sarkaria, principal of Satluj Public School, said Meghansh’s performance never reflected any limitation. “He has always matched, and often outperformed, other students,” he said.Meghansh aspires to join the Indian Foreign Service. His achievement not only highlights his academic excellence but also underscores the importance of inclusive educational policies.
