Kochi: She is neither overjoyed nor has any heartburn over losing three marks for English, the subject of her favourite teacher Meera who was also her class teacher. Devika C, who secured the national fourth rank in this year's Class XII CBSE Board examination and is second all-India in the science stream and the first in the state overall, is quite unassuming and has her sights set clearly on her goals.
Devika, from Kulapathi Munshi Bhavan's Vidya Mandir Pottore, Tirur, Thrisssur, secured 495 out of total 500 marks in the board exam. The loss was one mark each for maths and physics and three for English. She scored cent percent in chemistry and biology.
The success mantra of the girl is also simple: take care of the day’s portions on the day itself back home or make up on the next holiday. She is also known in the school for helping classmates who are weak in different subjects.
Devika does not agree with those who say that entrance study negatively affects the regular studies. “They are complementary and entrance study enables in-depth understanding of the subjects,” she adds.
She is of the opinion that in this age of cut-throat competition, to emerge in the top rungs, entrance coaching is necessary and attributes her success to the teachers at the entrance coaching firm in Poonkunnam and teachers at home and parents. She has a special word for her grandmother Sarojini whom she places as the pillar of her strength.
Her mother K. Smitha had secured first rank in MTech from Anna University in 2009 and is an assistant engineer in PWD.
Father Manikkuttan is an assistant registrar with Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU). Brother Krishnanand studies in Class VIII Munshi Bhavan's Vidya Mandir.
Though she has secured 64th rank in Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), she does not propose to avail of the scholarship by pursuing pure sciences. She is keen on joining Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, following in the footsteps of her grandfather who was a hawildar in the Army. It also interests her to pursue research in oncology.
She is waiting for the results of NEET to realise her dream. She is also appearing for AIIMS and JIPMER entrances.
Who is her icon? Like thousands of children across the state, the quotable quotes of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspire her, says Devika. She has been trained in classical dances but since she entering Plus One, Devika has discontinued it to focus on studies, but is sure that she will pick up again. She also says that the young generation has a responsibility to make a cleaner and greener earth.
