Gurugram student tops CBSE Class 10 exam in specially-abled category
Gurugram, May 29: Anushka Panda, a student of Suncity School here, has topped the Class 10 CBSE Board Examination in the specially-abled category in India, scoring 97.8 per cent marks, a school spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"I am thrilled that my hard work has paid off. It is really a big moment for me. I was really nervous before the results," said an elated Anushka, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease affecting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord which hinders the sufferers' ability to walk among other problems.
However, being wheelchair-bound did not stop the 14-year-old from fighting her way to success.
Sharing her mantra of success, she added: "I was consistent in my preparation from Day 1 itself. I would like to thank my school which has been extremely supportive. Since I am a special child, my school ensured that I was provided with a special infrastructure to write my examination."
Her school Principal Rupa Chakravarty said: "We, at Suncity School, are very proud of Anushka.
"The focus that she possesses is rare to find in other children. She is determined and does not allow any obstacle to overpower her, and her benchmarks are very high. She is an inspiration for all of us. What she has achieved many other students would not be able to achieve with all the elements."
Her parents were equally proud of their daughter's success.
"I am proud of my daughter. Her excellent performance in the board examination is a testimony to her determination and perseverance," said her father Anup Kumar Panda.
A resident of Sector 67, Anushka loves playing chess and aspires to become a software engineer.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP responsible for Sabarimala women entry verdict, LDF's stand same as 2007 affidavit: Min Vasavan
Kottayam (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Saturday blamed the BJP for the 2018 Supreme Court verdict permitting women's entry into Sabarimala and said the LDF government's current stand remains the same as the affidavit filed before the apex court in 2007.
He was responding to reporters' queries regarding the affidavit to be filed by the state government before the nine-member bench of the Supreme Court clarifying its position on the entry of women of menstruating age into the hill shrine.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the Supreme Court.
"We had filed an affidavit in 2007 stating that the issue should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters. We are still maintaining that stand," he said.
The Supreme Court has not sought the state government's position on women's entry now, but has asked for clarification on certain constitutional issues, he added.
"We have assigned the Advocate General and constitutional experts in the Supreme Court to give the reply. They will respond accordingly," the minister said.
He added that if the court seeks the state government's stand on the matter, it would be presented, noting that the LDF government had already stated its position in the affidavit filed in 2007.
"The party's (CPI-M) stand is the same as the government's. The government is with the devotees. We have always been with the devotees," he said.
The minister also criticised the opposition, alleging that they repeatedly approach courts on various issues and return with adverse responses.
"They go to court on several matters and come back with adverse responses. Has there been an opposition in Kerala that has faced so many setbacks from courts," he asked.
When asked about the state government’s actions in 2018 following the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, he said no such interpretation should be made as the government had already clarified its stand in the 2007 affidavit.
"If the Supreme Court gives any verdict, can we say anything against it. The women’s entry was the decision of the apex court of the country," he said.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the SC.
"They are now hiding. Actually they were standing for it. But here they are taking a different stand," he said.
He further alleged that attempts to facilitate women's entry in 2018 were made by BJP activists.
"It was BJP's young lawyers who filed the case and received the verdict. They then called it a historic judgement. But after some stage, they changed their position," he claimed.
He said the LDF government's position was that it respects the Supreme Court's verdict.
"But in our affidavit filed in 2007 we clearly stated that the entry of women of menstruating age should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters," he said.
He denied allegations that the state government had taken special interest in facilitating the entry of women of menstruating age into Sabarimala in 2018.
The Supreme Court in 2018 permitted women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple, following which Kerala witnessed widespread protests.
Currently, the Supreme Court is considering appeals against the earlier verdict.
