Mumbai: A combo of studies, sports, music & dance helped the toppers in the Higher Secondary Certificate board examination. At least, that is true of Gaurav Goel, who topped in the Science stream, scoring 97.38 per cent; Commerce topper Anisha Vaishampayan, who scored 97.2 per cent; and Kiran Salunkhe from Arts, who secured 94.46 per cent.
They are among the 3.16 lakh students from Mumbai who have passed the Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate board examinations, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. As is the ritual, girls outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 90.25; boys were stragglers at 82.40 per cent. The overall pass percentage also dipped this year, as against last year’s 88.41 per cent.
But the welcome news is that these students are deftly balancing their studies with extra-curricular activities, sports and the arts, ij some cases to ward off stress. Gaurav (science topper), a student of Pace Junior Science College, Andheri (W), plays the guitar and table tennis. He had enrolled for swimming classes during his free time. Most importantly, Gaurav did not join any coaching classes.
“I did not attend any coaching classes but studied on my own. I would study regularly and play the guitar in my free time. Table tennis and swimming helped refresh my mind,” he said. Now, he wants to study Mathematics at Harvard, USA. Vijaylaxmi Goel, Gaurav’s mother, said he was a dedicated student. “He would give away his mobile phone to his grandma while studying,” said Vijaylaxmi.
Vaishampayan (commerce topper), a student of RA Podar College, Matunga, juggled between coaching classes, college lectures and dance classes. She said, “I studied right from the first day of my final year. I would attend coaching classes in the morning, then go to college, followed by Bharat-anatyam practice and then study again in the night. Dancing motivated me to focus on my studies.”
Vaishampayan wants to pursue CA and has begun her preparations for the entrance test. Salunkhe (arts topper), a student of Vaze-Kelkar College, Mulund (E), participated in gymnastics at the national level, in the Khelo India Youth Games. She said, “I tried to strike a balance between my studies and my passion for sports. I participated in gymnastics at the national level, during this important year. Gymnastics helps me enhance my balance and control my mind.
It helped me stay calm during examinations. I want to pursue higher studies in psychology.” Parents and teachers said students who are able to balance academics with extra-curricular activities, usually score higher marks. Jatin Mehta, a parent, said, “Academics and sports or creative activities always help students focus better on their studies better and shapes their overall personality.”