At Sasaram Junction in India’s Bihar state, hundreds of young people gather on the platforms every morning and evening, not to catch trains but to study for competitive exams.
The practice began because villages in Rohtas district had little or unreliable electricity, while the station had round-the-clock power. Students came for the light, then formed study groups, and those who passed exams returned to coach others.
Railway police issued identity cards to more than 500 students, allowing them on the platforms without platform tickets. Some study late into the night.
Many have gone on to government jobs and professional colleges, though many others have not. In Pakistan, where load-shedding still disrupts students’ evenings in parts of Punjab, the story is a reminder of what young people will do for a chance to learn.
Leave a Reply