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In the narrow lanes of Araria, a small district in Bihar known more for poverty than promise, a young boy once dreamed beyond the boundaries of his birthplace. That boy, Muhammad Dilshad, has now emerged as a shining example of grit, intelligence, and hope. A migrant worker’s son, who came to Kerala barely understanding the language, Dilshad has now stunned the academic world by scoring 98% in the Kerala SSLC board exams — in Malayalam medium.
Humble Beginnings
Muhammad Dilshad’s family moved from Bihar to Kerala in search of livelihood when he was just seven years old. His father, Abdul Qayyum, began working as a daily-wage labourer at construction sites, while his mother took up domestic work to support their modest household. Settling in a rented room in Malappuram district, the family had no illusions of comfort — survival was the priority.
Despite the financial hardships, Dilshad’s parents had one unwavering hope: to educate their children. They enrolled Dilshad in a government school, where he faced his first major challenge — the language barrier. “I didn’t understand a single word when I joined the school,” Dilshad recalls. “Malayalam was completely alien to me. I used to sit quietly, feeling lost, wondering if I’d ever catch up.”
The Language Struggle
But Dilshad was not one to give up easily. With the help of patient teachers, especially his Malayalam teacher Radhamani miss, and a few kind-hearted classmates who acted as his informal translators, Dilshad slowly began to pick up the language. Every evening, he would spend hours memorising Malayalam alphabets, reading simple storybooks, and watching Malayalam cartoons to improve his comprehension.
“I made Malayalam my friend, not a hurdle,” he says with a shy smile. “Language is just a tool. If your will is strong, you can master anything.” Within two years, he was not only able to understand the language but began to excel in all subjects — including Malayalam literature.
Rising Through Hardship
While most students had the comfort of private tuition or digital devices, Dilshad studied under a kerosene lamp during power cuts. His father, despite earning less than ₹500 a day, bought him second-hand textbooks and never let poverty come in the way of his dreams.
Dilshad’s routine was rigorous — waking up at 4:30 AM, helping his mother with chores, attending school, and then studying late into the night. His teachers noted his focus, humility, and eagerness to learn. “He would often stay back after school, asking questions even after others had left,” said his science teacher, Mr. Shihab. “His hunger for knowledge was remarkable.”
A Star is Born
In March 2025, when the Kerala SSLC results were announced, Dilshad’s name created ripples in education circles. Scoring 98% overall, with full marks in science, social science, and Malayalam, he had done what very few thought was possible — topped his school and outperformed students with far more privileges.
More than just academic brilliance, his result became a symbol — of India’s unity in diversity, of the power of inclusion, and of migrant dreams being realised through education.
Recognition and Inspiration
The Kerala Education Department issued a special note congratulating Dilshad for his “extraordinary achievement through Malayalam medium despite being a non-native speaker.” Media houses ran features on his journey. He was even invited by several NGOs to speak to children of migrant workers across Kerala.
Dilshad now dreams of becoming an IAS officer. “I want to serve people like my parents — the daily-wage workers, the invisible citizens. I want to change how they live, and how they are treated.” He also wants to mentor students from Bihar and other migrant communities to adapt, integrate, and succeed in different cultural and linguistic environments.
A Symbol of Hope
Muhammad Dilshad’s story is not just about marks — it’s about mindset. It’s about how a child from the heart of Bihar broke linguistic, economic, and social barriers in a distant land to shine as a beacon of excellence.
In an India often divided by language and region, Dilshad’s journey is a powerful reminder that talent knows no borders — and that when opportunity meets hard work, miracles happen.
As he steps into higher secondary school with a scholarship now offered by the Kerala government, Muhammad Dilshad continues to write a new story — not just for himself, but for millions of children like him, dreaming big from the margins.