Seventeen-year-old Shravan Vishwakarma, a cancer survivor who underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, is set to appear for his SSC board exams in Mumbai. His journey from hospital beds to classrooms is one of grit and hope
Shravan Vishwakarma moved with his family to Mumbai for treatment before the pandemic. PIC/ADITI ALURKAR
The Std X board exams are often considered the first major challenging experience for students. However, this isn’t the case for Shravan Vishwakarma, 17, who has battled blood cancer (Leukaemia) and resumed education to take his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam.
A native of Uttar Pradesh, Shravan was diagnosed with blood cancer at the age of 12. Right before the pandemic, his family moved to Mumbai for his treatment. After being under chemotherapy, radiotherapy, COVID treatments, and finally undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Shravan found himself re-enrolled in BMC’s Mumbai Public School, Navghar, Mulund, set to appear for the board exams this month.
“I have always wanted to study, appear for exams, and play with children my age. Neither was I scared of my cancer, nor am I scared of the board exams,” he told mid-day. Owing to frequent illness and fatigue, Shravan would barely attend his school back in UP. Now, he has turned out to be the school ‘chatterbox’. “You just have to spark a conversation, and Shravan can keep carrying it. It shows how engaged he is in the classroom. When it comes to chess, he remains our top student,” said the school in-charge, Varsha Kalanke.
Ramu Vishwakarma with his son Sravan. PIC/ADITI ALURKAR
Ramu Vishwakarma, Shravan’s father recalls the hardships the family had to go through. For months, owing to frequent, distant hospital visits, the father-son duo would find themselves sleeping at railway stations and bus stops. “We would often miss the last train and had to come back early the next morning. All we did was travel. At these hospitals, we would see other children battle cancer and often succumb to it. Finding time to work as a carpenter was tough during this period,” said the father.
What was encouraging for the family was Shravan’s easy-going attitude. “Not once did he cry. Even when he was smaller, being administered injections or chemotherapy,” said Ramu. Shravan, proud of this feat, believes that this is the mantra of his life. Currently, he has to get tests and medications administered every few months. He has also developed a cataract problem owing to radiotherapy, and will have to undergo surgery after his exams, for which he is preparing without help.
“I love talking, being with my friends, and staying happy. I believe ‘jo hoga dekha jaega’. So why worry?” he told mid-day. With the fast-approaching board exams, Shravan has complete faith in his preparation, especially with history, political science, and sciences being his favourite subjects. “I’ll do well… we have done well so far,” smiled the student, who now volunteers in cancer support groups.
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