I have been teaching at the Keshavpur Primary School since 2004. There was one particular student in this school who is hard to forget.

I remember hurrying to school everyday, just so I could make it before three-year-old Panchchi Devi did. Whether it rained, was bitterly cold or blazing hot, she would be there before I reached school. She was not even a student of the school, but she would turn up, before her older brother and sister who were students there, did.

I began teaching in Keshavpur village in Eliya Block, Sitapur district, at the government primary school there.

When the students of the school lined up to receive the uniforms that were issued to them, this little girl would turn up and demand to be given a uniform too. I hated to turn her away, so I had a local tailor make a uniform for her for which I paid.

Panchchi went on to study till class five in the school. In those years, not one day did she miss school. Her siblings would take leave to visit their relatives in other villages, but not this child.

Panchchi studied till intermediate class, and is presently leading a married life.