The Lost Merit Poem by AAHAN VARMA

A boy studied all year.

A girl sacrificed her sleep.

Both believed one simple thing—

Hard work was theirs to keep.

Their parents carried burdens.

Their teachers gave their best.

And every morning began

With another practice test.

They didn't ask for favours.

They didn't ask for fame.

They only wanted a fair chance

To play the same game.

Then whispers filled the headlines.

Another leak.

Another scam.

Another list rewritten.

Another shattered plan.

The question isn't

Why students feel afraid.

The question is—

Why merit feels betrayed.

The question isn't

Why dreams sometimes fall.

The question is—

Why fairness feels so small.

One student loses a year.

Another loses hope.

Another keeps smiling outside,

While inside learning not to cope.

Every cancelled exam

Steals more than a date.

It steals confidence,

Trust,

And faith.

We don't ask for guarantees.

We don't ask to always win.

We just want a system

Where effort actually means something.

Because talent isn't rare.

Potential isn't gone.

But when merit keeps losing,

How long can a generation carry on?

And if hard work is truly the answer,

Then tell us honestly—

Why does honesty keep competing

Against dishonesty?