BANKA: If writing the Class X board exam feels painful, ask 22-year-old Rukmini Kumari what it’s like to go into labour in the exam hall, rush to hospital in an ambulance and return three hours after giving birth to a baby for completing the science paper.Believe it or not, Rukmini from Bihar’s Banka district did just that Wednesday because she always wanted to “complete her education and secure a good job”.She had taken the Bihar board’s maths exam on Tuesday and the labour pain kicked in at night.

But she was determined to write her exam the next day, and walked into the exam hall three hours in advance.When her labour pains began, Rukmani informed her family and the authorities about her decision to take the science exam the next day.

She was in labour when she walked into the centre.

As the pain became unbearable, she alerted the officials and was taken to hospital.

After giving birth to a healthy boy, Rukmini requested the health and education officials to let her sit for the exam, which was hurriedly granted.A student of Ambedkar Residential High School at Katoria block in Banka, her exam centre was at the local MMKG Inter College.Dr Bholanath of the hospital said the labour room was kept ready immediately after receiving an emergency call.

“It was a normal delivery,” he said.As praise poured in for the young “mother courage”, Banka education official Pawan Kumar said Rukmini had set an example on the importance of education “even at difficult times”.