When the Class 10 board exam results came out in Karnataka, Abhishek scored 200 out of 625. He had failed in all six subjects.
In most homes across India, this would have led to tears, shouting, shame, or silence. But in the small town of Bagalkot, something unusual happened. Abhishek’s parents threw him a party.
Yes — a party. There was a cake. There were guests. And on that cake, in big bold icing, was written: “32%” — the exact score that confirmed his failure.
His father, Yallappa Cholachagudda, a professional photographer, wasn’t trying to mock him. He wasn’t in denial either. This was a conscious decision. A symbolic one.
“We didn’t want him to feel broken or worthless,” he said. “We wanted to tell him that this one result is not the end of the world. That we’re with him.”
In a country where academic performance is often seen as a child’s only currency of worth, this story feels radical. We’ve heard of students running away from home after bad results. We’ve heard of parents refusing to speak to their children after they fail. And too often, we’ve heard of suicides that leave behind nothing but report cards and regrets.
But here, a boy who failed all six subjects was told: you are still worth celebrating. He was told: your failure is not final. He was told: you are more than your marksheet.
This isn’t a story about celebrating bad results. It’s a story about choosing empathy over punishment, support over shame and love doesn’t come with conditions. It’s about what it means to raise children who feel safe — not just when they succeed, but especially when they don’t.
Abhishek has said he plans to reappear for his exams and do better next time. But more than that, he knows he won’t be alone in trying again.
Sometimes, the most important lesson isn’t on the syllabus — it’s in knowing that failure doesn’t make you unworthy. The story is a reminder that the best kind of education begins with love.
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