KOLLAM: Every morning, Jaleena Beegum (46) and her son Vanharjan (31) will go to college together with a bag and lunch. After class, they'll return together in the evening. They also study together after getting back home. Both are very much determined to pass the examinations with good marks. Both of them are first-year BA Malayalam students of Sree Narayana Guru Open University. Their course centre is Fatima Mata College, Kollam.

During her studies, Jaleena Beegum would proudly look at her son becoming the smartest student in class by overcoming the hardships of being autistic and the injuries caused by a fall during childhood.

Kilikkollur native Jaleena Begum is the wife of Pyarjan, an auto driver of Kollam College Junction. She stopped her studies in 7th standard. She got married two years later. Her hopes were dashed when her eldest son Vanharjan was diagnosed with autism. When he was three and a half years old, Vanharjan suffered severe head injuries after falling from the staircase of his house. He returned to life after undergoing treatment for a long time.

It was Ayathil native Shailaja, a Literacy Mission activist, who enrolled Vanhar in the 7th standard. Jaleena also joined the class along with him. Both of them passed tenth and Plus Two with very good marks. It was Jaleena's desire to get a degree that brought both of them to college.

Significant changes in Vanhar
Classes are arranged in Fatima Mata College on Sundays and other holidays. There are significant changes in Vanhar. So far, he appeared in the exams with the help of an assistant. But now, he is very eager to learn. He also has a good number of fans in the batch's WhatsApp group.