Imphal: Mohammad Ismat
of Manipur, who weathered acute poverty and braved situations of
insurgency and went on to top this year's All India Senior
Secondary Certificate Examination (AISSCE), says the word
impossible does not cross his mind.
"I have a strong conviction that everything is possible when a man
is determined," Ismat said Tuesday, a day after he scored 99
percent marks in the Class 12 science stream examination conducted
by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
He secured 100 marks each in Mathematics, Chemistry, Home Science
and Fine Arts, and 97 in Physics and 98 in English, scoring 495
out of 500 - and went on to become the first from the northeast to
top the AISSCE.
"It is indeed great. I proved myself and confirmed that the
northeast India has more such brilliant students. They should be
properly nourished," the 21-year-old student of Manipur's Zenith
Academy said.
On topping the examination, he told IANS over phone: "I was
confident of scoring a good percentage in the examination but to
achieve the top position was beyond my imagination. I am very
happy that I have been able to make my family, particularly
father, proud."
Ismat, a Meitei Pangal (Manipuri Muslim), has now become the first
student in the entire northeastern region to top the AISSCE
examination.
A resident of Muslim-dominated Lilong Haoreibi village in Thoubal
district of Manipur, Ismat is the only son and the youngest of
seven children of Mohammad Bashirur Rahman, a government primary
school teacher.
Ismat, who nurtured his dreams and ambition despite his primary
school teacher father's acute financial constraints, said: "After
passing Class 10 examination, I planned to study in a good school
in Imphal... but I could not because of the financial difficulties
faced by my family."
The boy began his primary education in a local English medium
school before switching over to a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Imphal
where he studied up to Class 8. Later, he joined the Sainik School
Imphal where he scored 94.2 percent marks in the Class 10 CBSE
examination.
He had to leave the Sainik School as his family was finding it
difficult to pay his school fees.
Expressing his gratitude for the authorities of Zenith Academy,
Ismat said: "The school authorities waived my tution fees and the
fees for the bus which helped me continue my studies."
"Sir S.M. Singh, the management secretary of Zenith Academy,
accepted my request to (let me) study in the school at a minimum
fee, and with his kind guidance and advice I have come out with
flying colours."
Besides scripting history in the entire northeast, Ismat is now
looking forward to set another record in the civil services exams.
"My dream is to pursue my future studies at the St. Stephen's
College in New Delhi and try for the civil services exams," said
Ismat, who considers books his best friends.
Expressing happiness over his son's achievement, an excited
Bashirur Rahman said, "My happiness knew no bounds. My son Ismat
has done it and I think he would definitely become a leader to
guide thousands of poor students to become great personalities."
The school -- Zenith Academy -- also went into celebrations over
Ismat's success.
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