My eyes filled with amazement at first sight of her, sitting in the classroom. I couldn’t see anything else, but Rashmi Nimesha’s beautifully curved foot writing. Among the thousands of pupils with two hands and two legs at the Eheliyagoda Central College, Rashmi possesses only the left leg. Mother Nature has deprived her of the other three limbs, at birth. Yet, Rashmi is courageous and ambitious.
A short desk has been provided for her in the front row of the classroom. She answers the teacher promptly, and takes her leg down only when the period is over. During the interval she walks with the help of her artificial right leg. However, her friends never let her be alone.
Daasaman Ududwaragedara, Rashmi’s class teacher as well her English teacher appreciates their friendship.
“I have been Rashmi’s class teacher from Grade Eight. Her friends love her very much. She scores over 80 percent for Mathematics, Science, IT, Commerce and English. At the sports meet, she was the announcer, standing all day. She doesn’t like to be treated as a special student. She makes the classroom exceptional.”
Rashmi got selected to this college through Grade Five Scholarship from DelOluwa primary school, Deraniyagala.
Mrs. Hemali M. Rajaguru, Eheliyagoda Central College Principal admires Rashmi’s talents.
“Rashmi performs everything as others do. Sometimes I feel she is a challenge to the other students. She is a treasure for the school. Her parents too are teachers in the school. I am sure Rashmi will bring us good results at O/L s next year. ”
Rashmi sings well and plays the keyboard with her lenient left toes. Mother Nature has been compassionate to bestow her with a variety of talents.
“I am a music teacher. But I teach drama and theatre here” said Dhammika Gunawardena, Rashmi’s mother. “My husband teaches Agriculture here. He was in HalOluwa school when our daughter was there. Now, the four of us are in the same school. We are thankful to the Ministry for helping us to cope with the situation.
When Rashmi was small father could wash and dress her. Now she is grown up, I have to do everything with the help of her sister.”
She lost her voice for a couple of minutes. Her affection for her daughter overcame her. I didn’t wish to disturb her emotions.
“When I was pregnant there was a severe pain on the left side of my belly.” She started again. “ Doctors said the scanning report was not clear. After the delivery I heard something about the baby’s leg. I was trembling. I have no words to describe that moment. The baby came to my hands after two days. When I saw her…”
She was unable to continue. Fifteen years of pain welled up within her, started melting over her cheeks.
“Now, how do you feel?” I finally asked. “I am proud of her” she replied, with a smile, in between the tears.
Sarath Gunawardena, Rashmi’s father is the strength of his daughter.
“One kind family helped us to find my daughter an artificial leg. That was the first glow that illuminated our hopes.
After the Grade Five Scholarship another dream came true.” “ I want my daughter to have a stable future. I want her to acquire it with her own talent.
She can sing well. But I don’t want her to gain popularity singing someone else’s songs. I want to bring her own voice, her own style to the world. That’s why we are organizing this musical show ‘Sarasi Gee Dahana’ to launch her songs.”
Rashmi Nimesha live in concert will be held on 5 March (Today) at 6.30 pm at Eheliyagoda Central College main hall.
This is the first stepping stone for Rashmi. The event is conducted by veteran announcer, Kalum Srimal. Music by Darshana Ruwan Dasanayake, Dumal Warnakula,Indika Ruwan and Luxman Wijedekara.
In the theme, ‘Hand to Hand’ they have formed the ‘Rashmi Nimesha Courageous Foundation’. Those willing to contribute technical or financial support may contact her father Sarath Gunarathne on 0776095240 and forward any donations to Sampath Bank, Eheliyagoda, A/C No. 102061000290.
Finally, Rashmi Nimesha Gunawardena expressed her ambitions.
“ Though people say I am different, I don’t feel any difference. I will try my best to get 9 A passes at O/Ls. I love music as well. I hope to do A/Ls in the Commerce stream. I watched Nick James’s videos and learned a lot. I would like to tell everyone not to give up. Face any obstacle as a challenge and go ahead.”
We salute her courage and wish her success.
- Aruni Muthumalie
Pix: Saman Sri Wedage