PM calls up Panipat girl, hails Class XII feat

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, July 26

“It’s the happiest moment of my life when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said hello to me. I greeted him with Namaste sir,” said Kritika Nandal, after taking part in the ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme held on Sunday.

During the programme, the PM applauded Kritika’s efforts for achieving success and scoring 96 per cent in the medical stream of the CBSE Class XII exams this year. A native of Mehrana village, Kritika was a student of DAV Police Public School, Panipat.

Wants to be doctor

It’s my dream to become a doctor. I’ll work hard to achieve my goal. With proper education and knowledge, a doctor can save many lives and that’s exactly what I aim to do. —Kritika Nandal, Panipat resident

Kritika told The Tribune that it was the best moment of her life as from across the country, the PM chose four students to interact with and she was one of them. “We were asked to keep this a secret. We went to the NSG at Manesar and waited for the call for three to four hours. It was all worth it and I just can’t put my happiness into words,” Kritika said.

“During the programme, the PM asked me about my inspiration, goals and dreams and his every word/suggestion will always be very important to me,” she added.

“It is a proud moment for us that the PM talked to my daughter. This was only due to her success,” said Saroj, mother of Kritika.

She has not only made her family proud, but has also brought laurels to the village and the state, Saroj added. She said: “Kritika studied hard to achieve her goal and also helps me in household chores. She helps her younger brother in studies too.”

Her father Vinod Singh passed away two years ago due to brain haemorrhage. “I am managing the house by sewing clothes. We have a buffalo and a kiryana shop that is run by Kritika’s grandfather. My widow pension helps too,” she added.

Panipat (Rural) MLA Mahipal Dhanda, DC Dharmender Singh along with his wife Suman Bala and villagers visited Kritika’s house to congratulate her on her success.