JOIN USThe CBSE class 12 results unravelled a bag of surprises for many toppers. A disciplined approach, hard work and support from family and teachers ensured that they reached the top. In a candid chat with ‘Metrolife’, the achievers and their families talk about how they prepared for their examinations and the plans for future.
SCIENCE
Praveen Kumar GuptaArmy Public School (96.8%)
Praveen worked really hard to achieve what he has. “I expected about 95% overall, but I’m glad that my score exceeded my expectations. My English grades are high — I scored 98 % in that,” he says. Praveen has already started preparing for his entrance exams. He says, “I’ve been attending entrance coaching. I had to manage both my studies and the coaching at the same time which was difficult. Since Physics wasn’t my forte, I dedicated extra time for it. Now, I have to get ready for the next phase in life.” As he is not too sure what he wants to major in yet, he says he is going for Computer Science.
Apoorv Pratap Singh
National Hill View Public School, Rajarajeshwari Nagar (95.4%)
Apoorv admits to being a bit nervous initially but that changed to delight once the results were out. “My friends and parents were very encouraging and constantly helped me retain my focus on studies. When I told them that I hadn’t done well in a subject, they asked me to concentrate on the next one.” His teachers too played an important role in his victory.Apoorv’s father, Punit P Singh, adds, “We always expected him to do well. He is a studious boy and has achieved this feat on his own without any help from our side. He was preparing for IIT simultaneously so that must have helped him in getting his concepts clear.” A love for Astrophysics is prompting Apoorv to consider taking up Engineering with Physics. Right now, he has a word of advice for the next batch. “It is always important to understand the concepts thoroughly. Studying daily is a must too.”
Safeera Mohammed Tabassum,
Presidency School (93.4%)
The final results had brought a big smile on Safeera and she wants to become a doctor. She says, “I though I’ll get around 90% , but I’ve got more. I revised everything that was taught in school. Referring old books also helped a lot.” The ambitious teenager wants to do MBBS. She says, “I want to be a cardiac specialist as it has always fascinated me. I hope to do my best.” Safeera’s parents are very proud of her and are looking forward to a bright future for their daughter.
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COMMERCE
Aishwarya M R
Delhi Public School (North) (95.2%)
Aishwarya M R says that she was sure of scoring at least 92% but she least expected to top her batch and her school in the Commerce stream. “I owe my success to my parents and teachers. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them by my side,” says Aishwarya, who believes in balancing her academics with co-curricular activities. Aishwarya wishes to do law and has already enrolled in M S Ramaiah College of Law. In school she was active with the event management wing. “Organising events at school has given me an exposure of how to manage time and resources,” she says. Her parents Ravi Kumar M and Dr Bhavani M R are thrilled. Ravi Kumar says that he has never had to teach her or send her for tuitions. “We’ve given her a free hand to do whatever she wishes to,” he adds.
S Deekshitha
Army Public School (95%)
Taking up a commerce course seems to have raised an interest in Deekshitha’s life and she’s very happy that she took that decision. She says, “When I started my first PUC, I had no clue about the subjects. I gradually developed my interest for it.” She gives thanks to her parents, sister, teachers and friends for being supportive while she was preparing. For the good grades, she says, “It was important for me to stay cool throughout the whole process.” She looks forward to joining the National Institute of Fashion Technology and become a creative designer.
Ganesh Bhaskar Lata
CMR National Public School (91.2%)
My first reaction was that of extreme surprise,” says Ganesh. “I had not scored good marks in my pre-boards so this was completely unexpected.” His mother, Lata, concurs. “We are all in a state of shock,” she says, laughing. “He has surpassed all our expectations.”“I worked out 2-3 question papers every day. I studied during the one-month long study holidays and solving papers helped me in my basics. My teachers were also very supportive and motivated me,” he says. His parents also did their bit in helping his academic performance. “I was like a watchman always keeping an eye on his studies. His father also equally invested in his studies,” says Lata. Ganesh plans to study law after this and has started writing entrance exams.
Sindhoora Krovvidi
National Centre for Excellence (92%)
I wasn’t expecting such good marks at all,” says Sindhoora. “The maths paper was very tough and I expected it to pull down my overall percentage. I am still recovering from the news that I topped in my school.” Her mother, Lakshmi Krovvidi, is justifiably proud of her daughter. “It is her hard work and efforts that have helped her achieve this feat,” she says. Sindhoora has decided to pursue B Com now.
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HUMANITIES
Eshani Vaidya
DPS South (94.4%)
Debunking the myth that it is hard to score marks in Humanities, Eshani has scored 94.4%, topping her school in the process. She is happy with her performance, though she admits that she could have done better, at least in 2 subjects.“But then, my preparation was done at the last minute,” she says. “I started studying properly only in the last month before exams and at that time, I used to study 4 to 5 hours a day.” Her father, Ashutosh adds, “She prepared well and we were expecting her to score good marks but topping the school came as a surprise. I will credit this to Eshani’s own work as well as her mother’s strong support.” Eshani has started writing entrance exams to enrol for a law course.
Anandi AV Nair
Army Public School,Kamaraj Road (90.4%)
Anandi AV Nair says she never struggled during her examinations because she worked throughout the year. “I don’t believe in last-minute work. My class notes and reference material only enriched the content,” she says. Anandi hopes to pursue Mass Communication or Media Studies. She spends her spare time writing poetry and is also working on a book as well. She says she used to play basketball till a few months back. Her mother Dr Vanaja Nair is a psychotherapist, who works from home. “I’ve never insisted that our children score a certain percentage of marks or pursue a specific career. They have the liberty to pick any profession they like. I’ve found that Anandi had made her own study schedule and stuck to it without letting any distraction get in the way. We are proud of her,” says Vanaja,
(As told to Nina C George, Rajitha Menon and Anila Kurian.)
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