Compared to the board exams held in February-March, the examinations conducted by the state board in September-Octoberfor repeaters do not receive much attention. However, over the past seven years, a one-of-a-kind project is providing assistance and motivation to students who failed to clear the SSC in their first attempt.

‘Himmat Shala’ is the brainchild of AL Deshmukh -- a former recipient of the President’s award for best teacher and ex-supervisor of Laxmanrav Apte Prashala. For the current edition of the exams, 47 students from the city who have prepared at Himmat Shala for the last four months are appearing.