Tarun Nandi/Kolkata

Few could have imagined that the boy who failed Class 8 would one day earn a PhD. Mirajul Islam of Chakdaha village in Kushmandi, South Dinajpur, is the student who has proved that failure is never the end of the road.

Born in 1995 into a farming family, Mirajul Islam did not have an easy journey towards success. His father, Latifur Rahman, had a limited income, while his mother, Masura Bibi, tried to support the family by raising ducks and chickens. Meeting household and educational expenses was a constant struggle.

After all the hard work put in by his parents, Mirajul's Class 8 results came as a major setback. He was devastated after failing. It was at that moment that his mother encouraged him. She told him, “At least pass your Madhyamik.” Those few words changed the course of Mirajul's life.

After his Class 8 results, Mirajul began a determined struggle with a clear goal in mind. Studying from old books, walking three kilometres along muddy roads, and travelling by bicycle and bus to tuition classes 20 kilometres away became part of his daily routine.

He faced many difficulties, but none could weaken his determination. Keeping the promise he had made to his mother, Mirajul moved beyond the confines of the madrasa system and completed his Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations with first-division marks. He then pursued graduation and postgraduation from Aliah University, followed by a B.Ed. Eventually, he earned a PhD.

However, his journey contained more obstacles than achievements. No one in his family had previously pursued higher education. As a result, Mirajul had to learn many things through his own experience, including where opportunities were available, how to apply for them and which institutions could help build a future.

Financial hardship was another major challenge.

His doctoral research focused on “Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Socio-Cultural Study of the Prose Writer.”

Many people know Kazi Nazrul Islam primarily as a poet and lyricist. Mirajul, however, was particularly fascinated by Nazrul's prose literature. This interest eventually took his thinking in a different direction.

The ideas of society, culture, equality and humanity reflected in Nazrul's essays, short stories, novels, plays, speeches and letters drew Mirajul towards research.

Mirajul says that his research journey was far from smooth. He had to face several administrative hurdles while completing his research. According to him, the problems were eventually resolved after the intervention of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.

Although he had initially planned to complete his research within four years, it ultimately took more than six years. According to Mirajul, his thesis was also rejected once.

After years of waiting and overcoming numerous challenges, the much-awaited day finally arrived on September 8, 2026. He completed his viva and fulfilled his dream of earning a PhD.

Alongside teaching and research, Mirajul has also remained involved in various student and social movements. Today, he is helping underprivileged and economically disadvantaged students find their way towards education.

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Mirajul's journey demonstrates that poverty or an early failure does not determine a person's future. With self-belief and determination, even the toughest obstacles can be overcome, and success can be achieved.