Students who topped the ICSE and ISC exams this year are elated to have set a new benchmark: last year, no one from the city made it to the first rank. Also, many of them said they did not depend on coaching classes; regular attendance at school and a disciplined approach to studying brought them the success.
Of the seven students who topped Class XII with 99.5%, two are from Mumbai. Abhijnan Chakraborty a Science student from Lilavatibai Podar High School, Santacruz, said the secret of his success was that he never tired of studying. “I have always loved doing it, actually.” Although he did take some coaching, he credits his school with his success. “My mother always wanted me to top and I attribute my result to her, along with my granduncle who is like a father figure to me.”
Beaming: (Above) Tansa Shah and (top) Priya Khajanchi and Abhijnan Chakraborty.
Tansa Shah, a student of Cathedral & John Connon, Fort who shared the first place in Class XII, is from the Humanities stream. Her mother Mona Shah said, “We are overjoyed. We just want our children to be happy and at peace with whatever they do. So I really didn’t have any expectations in terms of rank. This was a super surprise for us.”
Priya Khajanchi, also from Lilavatibai Podar High School, who secured the second rank in the Class XII ISC exam, said she took a ‘different approach’ to studying. “I did not take tuitions but I was regular in school so I did not need to study much when I got home. My studying was a lot more target-based than hour-based.”
On the support she got from her family, Ms. Khajanchi said, “My parents always encouraged me to balance work and play. They were never strict with me. They are so happy, they have been telling everyone about this. I never dreamt that it would happen.”
Norina Fernandes, Principal, Lilavatibai Podar High School said, “I give all the credit to the students and teachers.”
Rewati Shitole, 18, bagged the all-India third rank with 99.0%. “The hour before the results were announced was full of anxiety. Honestly, I was not expecting more than 97% but am pleasantly surprised.” The Sulochanadevi Singhania School, Thane student also said her journey through Class XI and XII was smooth only because of her parents and school teachers and that is why she could score more than expected even without any coaching.
“I have never believed in the concept of coaching classes. I needed some guidance after school, for mathematics. I used to approach my class teacher again and again until the doubts were cleared. I have applied to Purdue University in Indiana, US, for majoring in Computer Science,” said Ms. Shitole, who shared the third rank with 24 others, including Akanksha Gupta from Bombay Scottish in Mahim.
