SHILLONG, May 9: The outcome of this year’s Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) came as a shocker for science stream topper Arnab Dutta.
He is a student of Laban Bengalee Boys Higher Secondary School (LBHSS).
“I expected a position but not the first. I am a little shocked. I did maintain consistency throughout the year and in the last three months I tried really well. Since I was consistent it was not very tough,” Arnab said.
“Initially, I felt toppers are extraordinary. I did not understand what they do to reach that benchmark but later on, I realised they work on whatever is taught and revise the lessons regularly,” he said.
LBHSS’s Rishab Purkayastha, who topped in the HSSLC commerce stream, said: “It is not that easy but if you have teachers and parents to guide, everyone can do it with a little bit of hard work.”
Surrounded by juniors and teachers applauding him for his feat, he said, “I am not that big an inspiration. There are greater inspirations like the late APJ Abdul Kalam. I would only advise my juniors to believe in themselves, work hard and listen to their parents and teachers.”
Rishab wants to become an investment banker.
Joanna Goswami, an elated vice-principal of LBHSS said, “Results are always the outcome of several factors and teamwork apart from the efforts of dedicated teachers who want the students of the school to shine.”
Akshat Poddar (right) and Kashish Sharma (left) of St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School. (ST)
She said the HSSLC results were the icing on the cake for LBHSS ahead of the closing ceremony of its centenary celebration.
While the students of LBHSS topped the science and commerce streams in the MBoSE-conducted exams, their counterparts in St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School took a major chunk of the results pie.
The school’s Sharmin Khongsit and Sargam Datta secured the joint 7th rank in the science stream.
Sharmin credited her achievement to consistency and hard work and thanked her parents and teachers for their support.
Sargam, too, attributed her success to hard work and said she aspires to pursue a career in chemistry, following in the footsteps of her mother.
The HSSLC commerce results were also announced by the MBoSE on Tuesday.
Akshat Poddar from St Anthony’s achieved the 2nd position.
Thankful to his parents and teachers for their unwavering support and motivation, Akshat said he did not anticipate the rank. He secured 478 marks out of a total of 500.
Daiairi Nongrem, a student of Anderson Higher Secondary School, Nongstoin, bagged the tenth position in the Commerce merit list with a total of 447 marks (89.4%). She is the lone topper from West Khasi Hills District.
Speaking with the media, Daiairi said the result came as a pleasant shock for her and she was thankful to God for her success.
She also acknowledged the support and guidance of her parents and teachers.
Daiairi said she would pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy.