“I want to become an IAS officer to serve people”
Belagavi boy Mohammed Kaif Mulla tops state in SSLC after revaluation
Mangaluru, May 31: Mohammad Kaif Mulla of St. Xavier High School of Belagavi who became the second topper in the state by scoring 624 out of 625 in SSLC exams, has jumped from the second position to the first place after revaluation. In the revaluation, Mulla got 625 out of 625 marks.
His father Harun Rashid Mulla and mother Parveen Mulla are teachers and his grandfather was also the lover of education. So, Kaif has all encouragement for study. Even the teachers also supported Kaif in his studies. Because of this conducive atmosphere and encouragement in the family and the school, Kaif has got the first place in state.
Excerpts from an interview with Mohammad Kaif Mulla:
Varthabharati (VB): Why did you apply for revaluation?
Kaif: After the exam of each paper, I used to analyse my answers keeping the question paper before me. I used to discuss with my father, mother and even teachers and to calculate how many would I get in each paper. I have the confidence of getting cent per cent marks in all subjects. When the results were announced, I got 1 mark less in science subject which did not satisfy me. But my conscience was telling me that I should have got 100 marks in science. After discussing with the parents and teachers, I have applied for revaluation.
VB: Did you have the confidence on revaluation?
Kaif: Yes..The evaluator has given me 1 mark instead of 2 marks for the question number 41 in science paper. After evaluation, I have got the full marks for that question. With this, I have topped the list in the state.
VB: How would you share your happiness with the readers of ‘Varthabharati’?
Kaif: Students and youth are obsessed with television, mobile and internet for temporary enjoyment. Our life should not limit for that temporary goals. Every student should learn how to build the life in the student life itself. So, I have maintained distance from such distractions during my study. Students should give priority to learning instead of other things. If we sacrifice all these temporary enjoyments, we could get them many times in future. Proper aim would definitely bring success.
VB: How many hours did you study?
Kaif: I have started to prepare from the very beginning of the academic year. In the beginning, I used to work minimum 7-8 hours a day. But later, I have increased this time to 11 hours a day. My day was usually starting at 5 am.
VB: Are you mugging up the lessons?
Kaif: No, no. It was not like that. I was studying properly and I was planning on how to answer to a particular question.
VB: What about food and sleep?
Kaif: I have never missed my food during preparation. But I was taking balanced food. But it is true that I have slept less. Moreover, I was very conscious about my health. I have never gone to any of the programmes like marriage and others in the last one year. I have never wasted time. With a proper aim and decision, I have tried.
VB: Have you gone for coaching?
Kaif: My mother helped me in social science and English, and father helped in Kannada and Hindi. For Mathematics and Science, I have gone for coaching. It’s my luck that both my mother and father are teachers. All including my grandfather have supported me well.
VB: What do you want to become in future?
Kaif: I have joined RLS College of Belagavi on Wednesday. I have taken science. After completing my MBBS, I wanted to pass IAS exam.
VB: Why do you have IAS dream?
Kaif: See, the life in village is not yet improved. Their financial condition is also same. They are not getting good education. If I have passed IAS, I could serve the people. For this reason, I have decided to do IAS.
VB: How do you get the experience of village life being in the city?
Kaif: Earlier, we were in a village called Shirahatti in Gadag district. I have studied there up to 4th standard. So, I have understood the village life very closely.
VB: What about your hobbies?
Kaif: I have interest in literature. I read Arabic and English literature. Apart from this, I am also interested in sports like cricket and swimming.
VB: What is your achievement in student life apart from academics?
Kaif: I cannot remember anything. When I was a kid, I learnt that I had presented the names of the capital cities of all the states of the country in one minute and got the award in a school competition. It was said that the photo was also published in the newspaper. Since I have participated in NCC during 8th and 9th standards, I have not scored more marks as I have expected. But I have decided not to give scope for such developments in the SSLC.
VB: Did you have pressure from parents and teachers for reading?
Kaif: No. No one has pressurized me. But they have encouraged me to get good marks and identify myself in the state level.
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We have allowed some ships: Iranian envoy Fathali on passage of vessels via Strait of Hormuz
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, Iranian ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Saturday said Iran has "allowed some ships" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic trade route.
He, however, did not specify the number of vessels that have been allowed to pass through.
During an interactive session held at the India Today Conclave 2026, Fathali was asked if Iran has "allowed passage to Indian ships" stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and for how many days, given the looming LPG shortage, and the series of telephonic conversations between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
"Yes, we have allowed, but let me not tell how many," he said.
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During the session, Fathali made the remarks largely in Persian, which was interpreted in English by Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy in India.
As several India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Fathali on Friday had told reporters that "we will try our best" to resolve the issue.
Earlier in the day, a senior official in the shipping ministry said two Indian ships -- Shivalik and Nanda Devi -- carrying LPG from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, raising the number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-hit, narrow shipping lane to three.
The remaining 22 ships on the west side of the strait are on standby as the Indian government engages with governments in the region to ensure their safe passage.
India imports 60 per cent of its LPG needs, with 85-90 per cent of this being sourced from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which use the Strait of Hormuz as a transit for shipping oil and gas. The strait has been effectively closed since the first week of March.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic narrow sea lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
During the interactive session, Fathali also emphasised that Iran and India have historical relations, and added, "I believe Iran and India also have common interests."
"I also believe if there is any rift or gap between these two countries, their enemies will use it... Both sides have the maturity that they can handle these political and social issues together and solve everything," he said.
He was also asked about the phone call on Thursday night between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
"We are now supporting each other," Fathali said, and asserted that Indians also feel the pain Iranians are suffering. "We have to enhance the relationship between India and Iran.
The Iranian envoy, when asked if the country anticipated such an attack, said, "Iran is ready for negotiations and the war. But we prefer negotiations... We had entered into negotiations. But, despite well intentions..."
Fathali said Iran is "ready for this war", and reiterated that "you can start, but you cannot finish".
The West Asia conflict began after the US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran, in retaliation, attacked several Gulf nations hosting American military bases, impacting global aviation operations, oil prices and triggering a looming energy crisis.
On the killing of Khamenei, the envoy said, "We have lost our great figure, our great leader, and I want to say that... great father."
"His Eminence stood on the right side of history... Iranian people and all free nations are deeply saddened over this martyrdom," he added.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in India, in a post on X, on Saturday said, "Following repeated requests from charitable and benevolent members among our Indian brothers and sisters to provide humanitarian assistance to Iranian compatriots affected by the ongoing war, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi hereby announces the following bank account number for the deposit of intended cash donations."
"Bank Account Name: Embassy of Iran Bank Account Number: 11084232535 IFS Code: SBIN0000691 If you wish, you may also send the screenshot or payment receipt via WhatsApp to: +91 98998 12318," it said.
