In the heart of Rourkela’s Steel City, where machines hum and steel is shaped, a quieter, more powerful transformation is taking place. At Deepika Ispat Siksha Sadan, a free school for underprivileged children run by SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant and managed by the philanthropic Deepika Mahila Sangati, three young girls have risen above struggle, poverty, and personal loss to top the school in Class 10 board exams — and their stories are nothing short of extraordinary.
Subhalaxmi Sahoo, who stood first, lives with her maternal uncle and aunt far away from her parents who reside in a remote village. Her uncle and aunt have supported her through every challenge, standing by her like a pillar. “They provided me with everything I needed during my journey. A gifted painter and debater, Subhalaxmi now dreams of a career in banking.
For Suprava Tandi, who secured the second position, the challenges began at home. Living in the slums of Sector-20, she studied through power cuts, noise, and constant financial uncertainty — and all without the help of tuition classes. Her father, a private driver in Bhubaneswar, lived away from the family to send money home for his three children’s education. Her mother, once a homemaker, began working as a maid, moving from house to house just to put food on the table. “There were days we didn’t have proper meals, but my parents never gave up,” Suprava says. Her dream is to become an IAS officer — a goal she holds tightly, not just for herself, but for the parents who gave up everything so she could have a chance at a better life. “I’ll make them proud,” she says simply.
Srutismita Pattanayak, who came third, credits her success entirely to her parents. “They took all the pain on themselves so I could study in peace,” she says. Cheerful about her results, Srutismita says she has no regrets, only a stronger resolve to work harder. She, too, dreams of joining the civil services and making her parents and country proud.
Behind these results lie stories not of privilege, but of perseverance. What unites Subhalaxmi, Suprava, and Srutismita is not just their academic ranking, but the fierce belief that education could change their lives — and the unwavering support of a school that believed in them. They all express deep gratitude to SAIL RSP and Deepika Mahila Sanghati for making education accessible and dignified. In a city that forges steel, these three girls have shown how strong the human spirit can be.
