Rescued From Forced Child Marriage, Girl Secures Top Spot in Andhra Pradesh's 1st Year Intermediate Exam

Nirmala, originally from Pedda Harivanam in Kurnool district’s Adoni mandal, excelled in her SSC exams last year, scoring 537 marks. (Image via X/@EduMinOfIndia)

In a remarkable tale from Andhra Pradesh, a young female student, once saved from a forced child marriage, has defied all odds to pursue her educational dreams and has now secured the top position in the first-year Intermediate exam of the state.

G. Nirmala, a student from Kurnool’s Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), a boarding school for girls run by the Ministry of Education to support disadvantaged sections, achieved an impressive score of 421 out of 440 in the exam.

Taking to social media platform X, the Ministry of Education shared a post congratulating Nirmala for securing the top spot.

“Congratulations to Ms. G. Nirmala from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Kurnool, a residential girls’ school run by the Ministry of Education for the disadvantaged sections in India, for securing the top spot in the 1st Year Intermediate exam of Andhra Pradesh Intermediate Board,” the education ministry wrote in the post, shared on April 13.

The ministry further expressed support for Nirmala’s aspirations to become an IPS officer.

“Despite overcoming challenges like being rescued from a child marriage, she scored an impressive 421 out of 440. Her aspiration to become an IPS officer showcases her dedication to social justice. Let’s celebrate her courage and wish her the best for her future pursuits!,” it added.

According to a report in The Times of India, Nirmala, originally from Pedda Harivanam in Kurnool district’s Adoni mandal, excelled in her SSC exams last year, scoring 537 marks. However, her financially struggling parents, who had already married off their three other daughters, intended to arrange Nirmala’s marriage and halt her education.

They attempted to persuade her by explaining their inability to afford her education any longer. Additionally, they pointed out the absence of a nearby junior college, making it even more challenging to support her educational pursuits.

Determined to pursue her educational aspirations, Nirmala approached the local YSRCP legislator Y. Saiprasad Reddy during his “Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhutvam” program last year, seeking assistance. Moved by her situation, the Adoni MLA informed the district collector G. Srujana, who intervened promptly.

As a result, Nirmala was rescued from the threat of a forced child marriage. Later, the district administration facilitated Nirmala’s admission to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Aspari