BANGLADESH

Hawa Akter Jui could be spotted easily in the midst of those taking Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination at Narsighdi Government Women's College on Sunday.

For, she was dictating answers to her cousin Sania Akter.

After the first day's test of Bengali First Paper, she told reporters: "I could not study well for a long time due to illness. Even so, I have sat the examination with help of the local authorities and my teachers."

"Today's test went well. I expect to get an A plus," she added.

Jui's husband Rafikul Islam had allegedly cut fingers off her right hand on Dec 4 last year for refusing to give up on her studies. He has been detained in Dhaka Central Jail since.

Jui, however, has not lost her courage, her friends said.

Mother Parveen Akter said, "My daughter is continuing with the studies through her struggles." She urged everyone to pray for Jui.

Her father Yunus Mia said, "It would have felt better if Jui could write herself."

Narsinghdi Government Women's College principal A H M Abual Islam told reporters the authorities will continue to help Jui all the way.

"It is very unfortunate that she has to sit the test this way. I hope she will prove herself achieving a good result."

Narsinghdi Government College teacher Abu Bakr Siddiqui said Jui has already showed a 'lot of courage'.