Thanjavur stole the limelight when P. Srinath of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Public School in the town came first in tenth standard (SSLC) exams, for which results were declared on Monday.
Srinath came out with flying colours scoring 497 out of 500 and centum in four subjects except Tamil. Marks scored by Srinath are 97 in Tamil and centum each in Maths, English, Science and Social studies.
Srinath has set a record in that 497 is the highest marks scored by a student ever in the tenth standard exams in the state. He is the first batch of Samacheer Kalvi students introduced by the State Government.
As the news about Srinath getting the first rank in the state spread, it was jubilation and celebration in the school campus located in Nadarajapuram north colony in Thanjavur. Students burst crackers, clapped and shouted to share the joy of their colleague coming state first. Sweets were distributed. They took Srinath on their shoulders and came around.
"I feel very happy" said Srinath." It is a fruit of hardwork and encouragement by parents teachers and friends", Srinath added. He expressed his hope to do mechatronics and emerge in future as a scientist.
Thanjavur student has come first in the state after seven years. It was last in 2005, a student of St.Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary school came first in the state. Gayathri of St.Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary school scored 495 out of 500.
P. Murugesan, Chairman of the Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Public School said that the school has been aiming to get state ranks. In the past, the students of the school came district first in two years. "For the past five years our school has been scoring cent per cent pass in tenth examinations" he said. "This is a proud moment for us" he said.
The school was started in 2004 and within short span of time we could achieve state first rank. He appreciated Srinath and presented a shawl to him in appreciation. Prakash father of Srinath is working as Deputy Manager at State Bank of India, Melur. Vijayalakshmi his mother is a house wife. They expressed happiness over their son's achievement. Ananthi Rajan, Head Mistress of the school said that 217 students appeared for the exam and all passed out. "We selected four students who are really good and trained them for state rank. Srinath could make it" she said.
Srinath said that samacheer Kalvi made him to understand the subjects more deeply and score marks. "In fact, I took it as an opportunity and challenge to study samacheer kalvi books and write the exams" he said.