In the face of devastating floods and enduring poverty, two sisters from Rampur Gaura village in Punjab have defied overwhelming odds to achieve remarkable academic success. Prabhjot Kaur and Veerpal Kaur, daughters of a struggling farming family, have brought a glimmer of hope to their flood-ravaged community by scoring exceptionally well in their Punjab School Education Board examinations. Their success, however, is overshadowed by the grim reality of their financial situation, which now threatens to derail their educational aspirations.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the sisters’ daily prayers at the local gurdwara were for the survival of their home and their ability to continue their studies. Their prayers for their home’s survival have been met with devastating consequences, but their academic pursuits have yielded significant results. Prabhjot Kaur secured 88.2 percent in her Class 12 examinations, while her younger sister, Veerpal Kaur, achieved 88.7 percent in her Class 10 exams. These achievements underscore their resilience and determination, even as their world crumbled around them.
Rampur Gaura was among the villages most severely impacted by the catastrophic floods of August 2025. The Beas river, altering its course, inundated vast tracts of agricultural land and plunged numerous families into an uncertain future. The family’s 17 acres of land, which previously sustained them, were completely destroyed, along with the standing paddy crop. The fertile soil, the source of their livelihood, was rendered unusable, leaving no means for future cultivation.
Their home, built just three years prior with years of hard work, now stands precariously on the brink of collapse. Erosion from the river has already caused parts of the walls, the washroom, and the overall structure to crumble. An elderly family member, Milkha Singh, recounted the pain of not having fully experienced their dream home. The immense emotional and financial strain forced the family to relocate to an older residence in Passan Kadim village.
For over two months following the floods, the sisters’ regular school attendance was disrupted as the family grappled with the profound loss. Amidst pervasive anxiety, displacement, and sleepless nights, Prabhjot and Veerpal found solace and focus in their studies. While the adults were consumed by concerns about survival and mounting debts, the sisters dedicated themselves to their books, preparing for their board examinations in an atmosphere heavy with fear for the future.
Gursahib Singh, the father of the two girls, who was once a farmer on his own land, now works as a labourer on other people’s fields to support his family. He expressed his inability to fund his elder daughter’s higher education, a desire he held dearly. His younger daughter has since enrolled in Class 11 at Government School Tibba.
The harsh realities of their economic situation now cast a dark shadow over Prabhjot’s educational future, despite her exceptional academic performance. A bright student with aspirations of becoming a teacher and pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Prabhjot’s dreams are being curtailed by her family’s inability to afford higher education. Her mother stated with helplessness that it has become exceedingly difficult to earn, and even managing daily expenses is a challenge, given her husband’s strenuous work on others’ farms.
Prabhjot herself expressed her sadness at the prospect of abandoning her dream of becoming a teacher. She is considering undertaking a computer course to secure employment quickly and contribute to her family’s financial stability. The heavy heart with which she speaks of the insurmountable fees and lack of alternatives highlights the difficult choices confronting her.
Her academic brilliance is particularly noteworthy given the adversities she has faced. Prabhjot achieved an impressive 94 marks in Economics, a subject where she demonstrated exceptional understanding. Amita, her class in-charge and Economics lecturer, described her as one of the most diligent students she has encountered. Amita maintained contact with Prabhjot even when she could not attend school, explaining complex topics and witnessing her unwavering dedication firsthand. The lecturer was also privy to the profound impact the floods had on Prabhjot’s family.
The family’s plight underscores the devastating consequences of natural disasters on vulnerable communities and the urgent need for support to ensure that educational dreams are not extinguished by circumstances beyond a student’s control. The sisters’ academic achievements serve as a testament to their strength and spirit, even as their future hangs precariously in the balance.
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