UP Board Result 2018: High school topper Anjali Verma wants to serve as a scientist

Anjali Verma, a student of Brij Bihari Sahai Inter College in Allahabad’s Shivkuti, topped the UP Board 2018 high school or Class 10 board examination with 96.35% marks.

Verma got a surprise call from the state’s deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya congratulating her on her achievement. She belongs to Yerki village near Subedra ka Puwa in Ambedkar Nagar district of the state.

She shared the details of her preparations and her future plan with Hindustan Times’ Kenneth John.

Here are the excerpts:

Q. Did you think you would get the top spot in the board exams?

A. I studied hard and wrote the exams well. However, I never thought I would top the board exams. It was a pleasant surprise and a great feeling but yet to sink in.

Q. How did you parents react to your success?

A. My father Asha Ram Verma has always pushed me to excel in studies as well as extracurricular activities. My mother Chakravati Devi is the head teacher at a primary school. Both my parents took the decision to live with my elder sister Diksha, a final year student at Allahabad University, for the sake of my studies. They are very happy that their sacrifice and my efforts bore fruits.

Q. Are you satisfied with your marks?

A. I scored 578 out of 600 marks and am happy. The fact that I got cent percent marks in mathematics and 99% marks in English and science, three of my favourite subjects, is greatly satisfying. The surprise call from deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya congratulating me on the achievement was really inspiring.

Q. How did you prepare for the exams?

A. I attended my school regularly and remained attentive during lectures which greatly helped. Rather than last minute preparations, I started for the board exams early by devoting seven to eight hours every day to studies. My school teachers repeatedly made us to revise our lessons besides organised seminars in which I actively participated.

This really helped me cover the syllabus and get a proper revision done before the start of the exams. It also gave me time to clear my doubts with my teachers, who were always very supportive and encouraging.

Q. What’s your plan for the future?

A. I love science and admire former president APJ Abdul Kalam for his wisdom, dedication and excellence in all fields. I too dream of following his footsteps and become a scientist to serve my country and humanity.