Nilima Mallik
Nilima Mallik, daughter of Jagabandhu Mallik is a 20-year-old native of Subolaya, Birmaharaj Pur block. Nilima is studying now BA final year. They are four sisters, and Nilima is the second one. The elder sister (Purnima) completed Bachelors of Commerce and preparing for employment in the banking sector. The 3rd sister (Rubina) completed her 10th grade and applied for Intermediate, and the youngest sister (Allina) is in 8th grade. Her mother is a housewife, and her father is a petty businessman, selling vegetables in the daily market. He is earning INR 10,000 to 12,000 per month. Also, they have 2 acres of agricultural land, which provides 50-60 quintals of paddy per year, which is manageable for their food year long. Nilima’s father is more interested in his daughter’s education. He wanted all his daughters educated at least up to graduation. But it is very difficult to bear the expenses of 4 children’s study cost. In 2016, he decided to stop the two elder daughters’ studies when they finished Intermediate (12th grade). Then, he realised that the LEPRA Society helps such students through Oracle grant and received support for Nilima’s education.
Nilima Mallik is a leprosy cured person and released from treatment in 2012 has passed the 12th grade in 2016 in the 2nd division and admitted to Rajendra College, Bolangir, for a BA course. Nilima noticed multiple patches all over her body after completing 6-month Multi-Drug Therapy and got worried. As she was experienced with the disease immediately, she informed her father, and her father brought her to LEPRA Society Sonepur along with the Block Nodal Leprosy Worker (BNLW). On examination, it was confirmed that she was a case of relapse. In 2017, on the same day, Nilima was examined by the District Leprosy Officer (DLO), Sonepur and started Multi-bacillary (MB) MDT. But Nilima was worried about the disease, and her father also was terrified. She thought many negative things in her mind. Health Providers counselled her well and advised her to continue treatment. She went back to her hostel to concentrate on her studies. Her three roommates asked about the patches, and she has explained everything to them without hesitation. The roommates also encouraged her to continue treatment. In May 2018, she had completed 12 months of MB MDT and was released from treatment. There was no disability, and only a few residual lesions were present. Now she is very happy and confident. She is very interested in studying further and recognised her father’s ambition.
Nilima was disturbed for a few days about relapse, but her strong will power, interest in education, her father’s efforts, and LEPRA’s helping hand all together led to her responsibility. Since then, she has concentrated on her studies without any second thought. She is regularly attending classes and appeared at four semesters’ exams.
As their community is educated since her father’s era, Mr Jagabandhu wishes for his daughter’s higher education. There were no employees among female from their community. Nilima is very active and interested in becoming a B.Ed. Teacher, for which she will complete graduation and then join in B.Ed. Her parents are very much obliged to LEPRA and Oracle for their support to go forward towards their daughter’s dream.