Undeterred by health issues, they emerged victorious

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 14

While several inspirational stories of students fighting financial and social constraints to excel in academics emerge each year, two students have performed well even after suffering from serious and rare medical conditions this year. 

Class X students — Mayank Patial and Deepjot Kaur — of Tender Heart Public School in Sector 33 have scored 76 per cent and 74 per cent marks, respectively.

Mayank Patial’s narrative 

Mayank Patial has been fighting a rare condition wherein his platelet count stays low. His mother says that he was admitted to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, for a long time, but even after various tests, doctors could not pinpoint the ailment he was suffering from. In addition, Mayank also suffers from a skin allergy called dermatitis, which also kept him away from school for long periods. He is now receiving ayurvedic and homeopathic treatment.

Mayank wants to take up the medical stream and plans to enter the pharmaceutical industry. An avid reader, Mayank also enjoys music. However, he is not very happy with his result and was expecting more marks. His mother says, “His condition adversely affected his studies, he used to be in the high 80 percents and was expecting the same this time”. Mayank’s father, who works with the BSNL, says that despite his health issues and without any tuition, 76 per cent is a very good score. 

Tale of Deepjot Kaur

Constant headaches started troubling Deepjot Kaur around a year ago. Till Class VIII, she was one of the toppers but then fell victim to bullying by a senior and plunged into mental illness. Her father, Kanwaljit Singh, who works in the Technical Education Department, informs: “A senior said something on the lines of her not being able to maintain her performance in higher classes as the syllabus is very tough.” The statement affected Deepjot Kaur and she came under immense stress.

Her principal Vikrant Suri informs: “Deepjot was seriously affected and was not herself for a long time.” After getting treatment from the GMCH-32, where her mother works as a head nurse, Deepjot Kaur returned to her studies just six months ago and secured 74 per cent without any tuition.” 

Kanwaljit thanks God that his child could do well despite such a hurdle and expresses gratitude to the principal for guiding them all along. 

Deepjot aspires to be an engineer and will opt for the non-medical now. “I have a lot of passion for dancing and performed at my school’s functions”. She has no qualms in saying that she lost a lot of time due to her health issues. However, she is content with getting back to her studies and hopes to do even better in the future.

All-rounders 

Alamdeep Kaur (86%) (Skating) 

A student of Tender Heart School, Sector 33, scored 86 per cent in her Class X exams. A national-level inline-skating player, she had won the gold medal in the 55th National Roller Sports Championship and silver medal in 54th National Roller Sports Championship held at Jodhpur. Earlier in 2015, she had claimed another gold medal in the 52nd National Roller Sports Championship held at Virar. “I am happy to perform well in both studies and sports. I am thankful to my family for their extended support,” Alamdeep 

Chirag (76%) (Carrom) 

A student of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, scored 76 per cent to bring laurels to the city. He had represented the city in eight national championships, while he was ranked as top seed in the state championships. “I want to become a doctor. I am happy with the results and will continue to participate in national/state carrom championships,” Chirag.