In a humanitarian gesture, some police personnel in Maharashtra pooled money to reward a physically challenged 17-year-old tribal boy who wrote his class 10 exam papers with his feet and secured distinction.

Kalpesh Dhoda, from Kallole village in Palghar, was born without the two hands.

His father works as a security guard at a firm while his mother is a farm labourer.

But, the boy's grit to study did not let his disability and poor financial background come in the way.

Dhoda, who studied at a government ashram school for tribals (a residential school) at Betegaon, appeared for his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination conducted recently and wrote the exam papers with the help of his toes.

He not only cleared the exams but also got a distinction by securing 75.4 per cent marks.

Moved by Dhoda's determination to invalidate his physical challenges, the personnel of the Kasa police station in Palghar pooled money and collected Rs 21,000.

Palghar's Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Chavan handed over the sum to the boy's parents at a function yesterday.

The emotionally overwhelmed parents of the boy were happy to receive the money.

The Kasa police personnel also assured that they would provide any further assistance required for his higher education.

Chavan lauded the policemen's gesture to reward and encourage the boy to study further.