Kottakkal: Panjili Sulaiman is now basking in the joy of realising a long-cherished dream. At 45, the private bus employee has scripted a  triumph of perseverance by successfully completing his five year LLB course with first class.

Sulaiman’s journey into the legal profession took shape after he secured high marks in the Plus Two Equivalency Examination, which opened before him the doors to legal studies. Having scored a high rank in the entrance exam, he earned a seat in the merit quota at MCT Law College in Malappuram.

Sulaiman’s journey into the legal profession took shape after he secured high marks in the Plus Two Equivalency Examination, which opened before him the doors to legal studies.

Twenty-six years ago, Sulaiman completed his SSLC with a second-class distinction from Parappur AU Higher Secondary School. Although he had harboured a deep desire to pursue higher education, the dire financial situation of his family stood in the way. Faced with a dead end, he sought a livelihood on the road, stepping into the private bus industry as a worker. For nearly 19 years, he worked  as a bus cleaner and conductor.

 Throughout those long years of labour, he, however, never once abandoned his dream of continuing his studies. In 2018, Sulaiman enrolled as a student at the Plus Two Equivalency center at Government Rajas Higher Secondary School, Kottakkal. Since then, he has dedicated every spare time to his studies, plugging the gaps in his demanding work schedules. This commitment has finally come to fruition and tomorrow, he is scheduled to officially enroll as an advocate at the High Court. 

Sulaiman's wife, Shafeeda, donned the lawyer's robes ten years ago and currently practices at the Manjeri Court. The couple has two children, Fathima Rifa and Isha Muhammed.