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Not availing extra time for differently-abled biggest achievement: CBSE topper (Lead)
By Vishal Narayan
New Delhi/Gurugram, May 29 (IANS) For Anushka Panda who is unable to walk without a wheelchair, it was not the fear of under-performing in her Class 10 exams — which she ended up topping in her category — that occupied her mind, her concern was to finish the paper in the prescribed time of three hours, because the prospect of using the extra time she was legally entitled to was something she hated.
Panda, a student of Suncity School in Gurugram topped the Class 10 CBSE Board Examination — declared on Tuesday — in the differently-abled category in India scoring 97.8 per cent marks.
Talking to IANS, she said: “I was just under one kind of stress, I didn’t want to take extra time. I wanted to write the paper within those three hours. I didn’t take extra time for any of the papers and I am proud of that.”
A resident of Sector 67 of Gurugram, Panda said her “mantra” for topping the papers was being “consistent” throughout and studying for three-four hours a day. The only time she “broke down” was while preparing for the social science paper.
“I broke down because there was so much syllabus, but never because I was under stress. Social science had lot of chapters,” said the topper who wants to become a software engineer and aiming for IITs already.
Fourteen-year-old Panda suffers from spinal muscular atrophy. It is a genetic disease that diminishes the sufferer’s physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, which consequently impacts mobility.
But being wheelchair-bound did not hinder her from fighting her way to acing the exams.
“The disability always tried to hamper my performance, but I didn’t let it do so. It was going to but I didn’t allow it,” she said.
Among the downside of the condition she suffers from and yet has triumphed are her inability to walk and the need to take frequent breaks.
“I can’t walk and had to take breaks frequently, which is not good. But then I studied harder to overcome that,” she said.
Asked what she did to bust the exam stress, she said: “I played video games to bust the stress, including the ones which are violent. But I like arcade games also.”
Her school Principal Rupa Chakravarty said: “We, at Suncity School, are very proud of Anushka.
“The focus that she possesses is rare to find in other children. She is determined and does not allow any obstacle to overpower her, and her benchmarks are very high. She is an inspiration for all of us. What she has achieved many other students would not be able to achieve with all the elements.”
Her parents were equally proud of their daughter’s success.
“I am proud of my daughter. Her excellent performance in the board examination is a testimony to her determination and perseverance,” said her father Anup Kumar Panda.
(Vishal Narayan can be reached at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.