Kidnap accused tops Nalanda University examination

 The 23-year-old youth hails from Vaishali district and till a few days back was languishing in the high-security Beur Jail of Patna. But imprisonment in the abduction case brought in him an incredible change. Realising that “pen is mightier than gun”, he took up studies in right earnest. 

Nalanda Open University, in its effort to encourage more inmates to join various courses, provided him study materials free of cost. Soon, Jyoti was literally burning the midnight oil and studying on a regular basis.

The result: he topped the I Sc Part I (which is equivalent to Class XI) examination conducted by the National Open University this year.

Jyoti got 59 per cent marks, the highest among 63 students who passed in the science stream. Altogether 217 students had appeared for the examination. “National Open University conducts separate examinations for I Sc Part I and II. Only those who clear the Part I examination are promoted to Part II,” said university registrar SP Sinha. Jyoti is now determined to better his performance in the Part II examination.

Incidentally, more good news came for Jyoti from the Patna High Court, which granted him bail in the abduction case last week. After coming out from the jail, Jyoti said, “I will study hard, so that I can become an example for others.” The accused, however, had a word of praise for Beur jail superintendent OP Gupta, who, he said, made special arrangements to take him to the university so that he could attend counselling sessions and practical classes. “This boy was well-behaved. His achievement will motivate other inmates to join different courses offered by the NOU,” said the jail superintendent.