Kukil Saikia hails from Samalakhata village near Deomornoi, under the Sipajhar assembly constituency of Assam. Recently, he cleared the state's higher secondary examination and now wants to pursue further education.

His passion for knowledge, however, has had to face obstacles from his own physical condition. A young student, and the son of a modest daily-wage-earning family, Saikia continues to battle what appears to be a case of elephantiasis since childhood. The condition has significantly affected his mobility, making everyday movement a constant struggle. Yet, it has never been strong enough to weaken his determination.

For Kukil, this achievement is far more than an academic milestone. It is the outcome of years of endurance, of navigating classrooms, examinations, and aspirations while carrying the weight of both physical limitation and financial hardship.

But even as he moves forward academically, a new challenge now stands in his path.

Speaking about his situation and his hopes for the future, Kukil said, “I want to continue my studies further, but my condition is holding me back. My parents, who earn a daily wage, have always done everything they can for me. During my examinations, they and my brother had to carry me to and from the exam centre so that I could appear for my papers. Now, I urgently need an upgrade to my hand-pedalled wheelchair so that I can reach my college on my own and continue my education without depending entirely on others.”

His words carry both gratitude and quiet urgency, reflecting a life where even basic mobility is a daily negotiation with hardship.

Assam HS Result 2026: Girls Outshine Boys in Arts Stream

At present, Kukil relies on a manually operated wheelchair that is no longer adequate for regular travel to his educational institution. The rough rural pathways and the physical effort required to operate it have made commuting to college extremely difficult without assistance.

For him, a better wheelchair is not a matter of comfort, but the difference between access and isolation, between continuing his education and being forced to pause it.

Despite severe financial constraints, his parents remain his strongest support system. Struggling daily as wage earners, they have never allowed their hardships to interrupt their son’s education. From carrying him to examination centres to managing household survival, their sacrifices form the invisible backbone of his academic journey.