The Hindu : Kerala News : Proving equal to the task

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 28, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Proving equal to the task

Ignatius Pereira

R. Govind

KOLLAM: When the class X results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) came in on Saturday morning, there was much reason for Kollam and the S.N. Trust's Central School here to rejoice. R. Govind of the school scored 95.2 per cent marks to top the rank-list of 950 physically-challenged students from all over the country who had appeared for the examination this year.

Fifteen-year-old Govind is the youngest son of a doctor couple, K. Ravikumar and Jayashree. From a very young age, he had contracted mucopoly saccharidosis, a disease which creates enzyme defect, which, in turn, results in cellular level storage disorder.

This had affected his growth and crippled his legs.

Among the 950 physically-challenged students who appeared for the CBSE class X examination, 12 students scored marks above 90 per cent. Govind was the only candidate who scored above 95 per cent. He got A1 grade for all subjects.

Talking to The Hindu , Govind attributed his success to hard work and support from his family and friends.

"My father, mother and sister were, of course, always supportive."

He said his teachers and friends at school were equally supportive.

Taking into account his physical challenge, the teachers and school authorities ensured that his classroom was always on the ground floor. Govind said though he was unable to take part in outdoor extra-curricular activities, he liked singing and had sung at school functions on several occasions. Govind's sister is a medico.

He also aspires to become a doctor.

S. Vinod, Principal, said the school was proud of Govind. He said the school too had made its contribution by encouraging Govind at all levels.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail