Rupayan Pal of Burdwan CMS High School is this year’s topper in the West Bengal Higher Secondary Examination, scoring 497 (99.4%).
The moment the news broke that Rupayan is this year’s topper, their residence was busy with his school teachers and neighbours visiting him and his parents to congratulate him.
Rupayan Pal told The Indian Express, “I had thought I would rank, but never thought I would come first. I used to study around 12-13 hours every day and the main aim was to keep the concepts clear. I want to become a doctor, so that was my main focus. Since childhood, I was drawn towards science, and I have given some competitive exams. Let’s see what happens. I want to go to AIIMS and study.”
Apart from studies, Rupayan loves to read adventure and detective novels. He loves to travel, but for the last two years, he was concentrating on his studies.
His father Rabindranath Pal told The Indian Express, “We are very happy. He wants to be a doctor, but let us see what happens. We both are government school teachers, so he always made his schedule and studied accordingly. We were not able to see much of his studies.”
Tushar Debnath, who is from Bakshirhat High School and scored 496 (99.2%) to stand second, has an aim to become a scientist in the future. He told The Indian Express, “Till Class 10 I thought I would become a doctor, but now I want to become a scientist.”
According to Tushar, he took tuition from his teachers and spent 6-7 hours on self-study. Apart from that, during his free time, he enjoys watching cricket.
Tapan Debnath, father of Tushar, said, “We knew that he would do well. He has met our expectations. Now it is up to him what he wants to pursue.”
Srijita Ghoshal of Sonamukhi Girls’ High School in Bankura district scored 494 (98.8%) and is the first girl topper of this year, holding the fourth rank.
Speaking to The Indian Express, she said, “I could not believe that I had scored so well. My teachers and friends had called to inform me. I was concentrating on the concepts. I did not have a fixed routine — at most, I would study 7-9 hours, but not more. I want to become an engineer. Since childhood, I have had many dreams, but those are changing.”
Srijita’s free time is spent watching series on the phone, playing badminton, or with friends, though now she is concentrating on competitive exams which are right around the corner.
Bhagtadas Ghoshal, father of Srijita, said, “She is our only child. I am very happy. We want her to become a good person, but career-wise she wants to be an engineer. We support her dreams.”