Mumbai autorickshaw driver’s daughter tops CA exam

She aspires to gift her parents a “life of comfort”. “It would not have been possible without their support and blessings. Despite several hardships and financial problems, my parents always motivated me. I want my father to be rid of the daily arguments with passengers on auto tariff...,” she said.

Prema started her preparations for CA exams in 2008, after she graduated in B.Com. “Luckily I received a scholarship from my coaching class, so I didn’t have to pay them.” She has applied to big firms for a job and hopes to get a good offer.

She lives in a 280-sq ft room with her father, Jayakumar Perumal, who has been an auto driver for over two decades, mother, Lingammal Jayakumar, a homemaker and younger brother Dhanraj (22). “I was always good with numbers and finances and I was confident about passing the exam. But securing the first rank was something I had never imagined. I was happy for myself and my family...,” she said. Dhanraj has also cleared the same exam.