Brother’s Sacrifice Leads to First Rank Glory for Kollam Man
Kollam: In a heartwarming tale of sibling devotion, a younger brother’s sacrifice to support his elder brother’s education has been repaid with the sweet reward of a first rank. Muhammad Kani Afraris (24), from Pathanapuram Pattazhi Vadakkekkara Maloor Mallassery Padinjattethil, achieved outstanding success, just as his younger brother, Muhammad Kani Safraris (22), had hoped. Afraris, who pursued his M.Com privately through MG University, secured the first rank in the examination.
The two brothers are the sons of Shajimon and Sheeja, residents near Maloor College in Pathanapuram. Their lives took a challenging turn after their father, Shajimon, the family’s sole breadwinner, was involved in a vehicle accident. Following the accident, Shajimon suffered from various ailments and was unable to continue working. With the family’s income reduced to only what their mother earned from a job guarantee scheme, and uncertain about their future, the younger son, Safraris, took on the family’s responsibilities and decided to abandon his studies to work.
Despite having three A+ grades in his tenth standard, Safraris, who is two years younger than Afraris, began working odd jobs from the age of fifteen when it seemed his elder brother’s education might be disrupted. He started by serving food at wedding auditoriums and other events. Later, he took on any available work, including selling fish and painting. Understanding that there were no other means to support his academically brilliant brother, Safraris became a jack-of-all-trades, undertaking carpentry work, selling ‘kulukki sarbath’ at festival grounds, and more. Even amidst these demanding jobs, Safraris managed to complete his Plus Two education. He also attempted to study AC mechanics, but the increasing need to earn more money for his brother’s studies and household expenses eventually forced Safraris to completely halt his own education.
When Safraris chose to drop out of school and start working, he made only one request to Afraris: “Study hard and become a successful person. I will find whatever money is needed for that.”
From that day forward, Afraris dedicated himself solely to his studies. In December 2024, he successfully cleared the JRF (Junior Research Fellow) examination in his very first attempt. This remarkable achievement was soon followed by the golden gleam of securing the M.Com first rank. Afraris now expresses his desire to pursue research and, crucially, to ensure that his brother’s interrupted education is completed. He states that he now lives for his brother. Afraris is also preparing to join a college as an Assistant Professor, marking a new chapter in their journey.