They are helped by their aides, who tell them the questions and write answers as per dictation. They hope to good results like other students.

Kamal and Iqbal are students of Brahmanbaria High School, an old and famed institution in the town and stay at Alatunnesa ABC Student Hostel in the town, run jointly by the Social Welfare Department and Assistance For Blind Children (ABC), an NGO. There are ten students at the hostel. When contacted, ABC Hostel teacher Abdul Wahid, who is also blind, said another blind student from the hostel-- Babul Miagot "A" in SSC examination last year. Blind students of the hostel are doing good at classes and in public examinations, he said.

Admitted to Brahmanbaria High School in class six, Kamal and Iqbal did not face any problem in studies, they told this correspondent yesterday.

There are some special arrangements for them at hostel, where their teachers are very cooperative, they said.

They learn their lessons through listening and reading and writing in "Brall System".

During a visit to the hostel, this correspondent saw blind students preparing lessons with assistance from a blind teacher.

The blind students are very sharp in hearing. If any body enters their room, they can easily sense his presence.

By using the sharp hearing, they also play a special type of 'mini cricket in the corridor of their Hostel in afternoon.

Iqbal said he can easily bat and catch a ball.

Kamal, eldest of two sons of Md Akbar Ali of Jamalpur district, lost his eyesight at the age of 10. His younger brother is masdrasa student.

Seeing his strong desire for education, his father helped him continue studies, he said.

After completing higher education, he hopes to be a good singer, he says.

Iqubal, son of late Md. Akbar Ali of Chalkchandrapur village in Kasba upazila of the district, is the fourth among his three brothers and two sisters. Only he is visually retarded.

Iqbal lost his eyesight from typhoid when he was a student of class three. After higher education, he hopes to be a good teacher.

ABC Hostel Superintendent Md. Farook Hossain said many blind students from different parts of the country come to the hostel but he can accommodate them for sack of seat. The hostel was set up in 1983 at the initiative of the then Sub Divisional Officer MA Karim.

CAPTION: Md. Kamal Hossain (sitting on the front bench) and Iqbal Hossain (in the back bench) are now appearing SSC Examination in Brahmanbaria Centre here. Their assistant are seen helping them in writing only. They hope a bright result like other able students this year.