The parents are on cloud nine as their only son has scored four centums — in mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science.
M. Gauthaman of T.V.S.Matriculation Higher Secondary School here has made his parents and teachers proud in the Class XII State Board results which were announced on Tuesday. Having chosen Tamil as first language, he is one among the district toppers, scoring 1,181 marks. In English, he got 191 marks and 190 in Tamil. The jubilant student, along with his proud parents and school authorities, met District Chief Educational Officer S. Nagaraja Murugan and later divulged the secret of his success.
“It is smart work that matters rather than hard work. Systematic planning and enjoying my studies fetched me the centums,” Gauthaman said. His father A. Murali, a textile business consultant, was very particular that his son was left alone and there was no interference in his studies. “Parents should give freedom to their children who in turn should not misuse it. There was no pressure at all from our side,” said the boy's mother C.S. Sarada. While physics exam was considered tough by many, Gauthaman found it easy “because I understood the subject and enjoyed it.” He dedicates the centums to his teachers and Principal Uma Ramesh for their encouragement throughout the year.
“I expected State rank for Gauthaman because he had that spark and brilliance. Our teaching style also is not based on making students learn by rote. Our teachers' hard work coupled with students' cooperation brought us good results this year,” she said.
The centum scorer's inspiration is the late Kalpana Chawla — he wants to become a space scientist or an astrophysicist. His father was all praise for the school attendance maintained by his son. “He used to study only for limited hours, but was very good in time management. He had hundred per cent attendance in Plus One and Plus Two,” the father said.
