17-year-old Shalini of Bengaluru has scored 84 per cent in her Class 12 exam. Nothing unusual, many would argue – except that when others took study breaks, this teen worked as a help in five houses. In addition to studying for her exams, Shalini cleaned houses to add to her family’s income. “I used to clean clothes, clean utensils and put rangolis (decorative motifs on the floor),” she told NDTV in fluent English. Her ambition is to become the first engineer in her family. Shalini’s father Armugam was disabled in an accident and does not work anymore. Her mother Vijaya, the main bread earner, has to juggle her cleaning jobs with hospital duties; Shalini’s younger brother Surya has been diagnosed with blood cancer and is in hospital. Shalini had no choice but to continue working while preparing for her exams.

Read More at  www.ndtv.com