Malkangiri, Feb 19: While thousands of students across Odisha are set to appear for the matriculation examination today, one candidate from Malkangiri district has drawn special attention for her extraordinary determination.

Lakshmi Khemudu, a Class 10 student of PM SHRI Government High School, Sindhrimal, will write her examination with her feet. A resident of Bandhaguda village under Sindhrimal Panchayat and daughter of Narayan Khemudu, Lakshmi has been physically disabled since birth. Both her hands are immobile, and her legs also do not function properly.

Despite her physical challenges, Lakshmi has continued her education with remarkable courage. She attends school regularly in a wheelchair and performs all her daily activities, including writing and eating, with her feet. Teachers say she is academically strong and often performs better than many of her classmates.

Her examination centre has been allotted at Satiguda High School, located about five kilometres from her village. Though she was eligible to appear for the examination from home as a differently-abled candidate, Lakshmi chose to take the test at the centre along with other students. She was also offered the option of a scribe but declined, expressing her desire to write the examination on her own to prove her capability.

School authorities have made special arrangements to enable her to sit comfortably and write the examination. Teachers have expressed pride in her determination and described her as an inspiration to others.

Lakshmi aspires to pursue higher education and become a teacher in the future. As she prepares to take the matric examination, her village and well-wishers are hopeful of her success and bright future.