Pune: Elizabeth Ranpise, who passed the SSC examination with 60 per cent, stands out by sheer dint of hard work and multi-tasking.

As a student of Pune Blind School for Girls in Kothrud, the partly blind girl also pursued two vocational courses while studying in standard X.

In addition to regular classes, the school also imparts training to visually challenged girls in candle-making, chalks, stitching clothes and designing artificial jewellery.

"Most of our students prefer to do only one vocational course at a time. But Elizabeth is an exception. She has not only cleared the SSC examination as an external student, but has also successfully completed two vocational courses simultaneously," Sulabha Pujari, head of school, told TOI.

It was tough considering that Elizabeth had to attend training from 10.30 am till 5 pm every day during the academic year. "I would prepare for the SSC examination at night," Elizabeth told TOI. "I did two vocational training courses as I want to start my own business in the future," she added.

"I am very happy that my efforts have paid of. My next target is to clear HSC and then pursue higher studies," she said. Elizabeth moved to Pune three years ago from Islampur in Sangli district where her father is an electrician and mother, a homemaker.

Making a mark
Visually challenged students have made their mark in the SSC examination this year. Of the 858 students, 732 have passed. The pass percentage of these students is 85.31 per cent.

Of the 5,649 physically challenged students who appeared for the SSC examination in the state, 4,386 students (77.64 %) have passed.

"The passion to study is very high among physically challenged students. If proper attention is given to them, these students can come up with remarkable results," said Shahaji Dhekane, secretary of the state education board.

Elizabeth Ranpise working at her sewing machine