Patna: Dedication and consistent hard work can triumph over diverse backgrounds and challenges. This has been proven by Pushpanjali Kumari of Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya in Jamui and Sabreen Praween of Uchh Madhyamik Vidyalaya Chhaurahi in Vaishali, who have jointly secured the first rank in the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Matriculation examination by scoring 98.4%.Driven by her goal of becoming a topper, Pushpanjali followed a disciplined routine of self-study. She devoted 10 to 12 hours daily to her books and increased her study time further as the examination approached, giving equal attention to all subjects. She credited her parents, family members and teachers for their encouragement. “I always wanted to be a topper. To achieve this, I worked hard day and night and focused on self-study. Today, my dream has come true,” she said.Originally from Gopalpur village under Singhanan panchayat in Rajaun block of Banka district, Pushpanjali studied up to Class V at Madhya Vidyalaya Bhagwanpur. Her father Lalmohan Sharma, a teacher at a govt school, personally guided her studies during those early years. Her mother Sindhu Devi is a homemaker. She later joined Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya, where she benefited from the academic environment of the residential school.Pushpanjali now dreams of becoming a scientist. “I have a keen interest in understanding science and mathematics,” she said. She also qualified in the ‘Super 50’ programme run by the BSEB, which provides free residential and non-residential JEE and NEET coaching to meritorious students who have passed the Class X examination.Sabreen Praween, a resident of Vaishali district, achieved the same remarkable feat despite coming from a modest family. She is the eldest of three siblings and has two younger brothers. Her father Mohd Sajjad Alam runs a tyre shop in Rampurhat in West Bengal, while her mother Anguri Khatun is a homemaker.Sabreen said regular studies should be treated as a daily habit. She prepared with discipline and consistency and was confident of performing well, though she had not expected to secure the first position in the state. “I got this success from hard work, discipline, and regularity,” she said, thanking her parents and teachers for their support.Nahid Sultana of R Krit High School Banwaripur in Begusarai, who secured the second rank with 97.8%, dreams of becoming a doctor so she can serve society and contribute to the country. Her father Sohrab Alam works as an imam at a mosque in Bengaluru. Despite social hurdles, Nahid remained determined. “If you have the passion to achieve something, no obstacle can stop you,” she said.Anupa Kumari from Kharhana village in Rajpur block of Buxar secured the third rank through consistent effort. The daughter of farmer Nityanand Yadav and homemaker Nirmala Devi, she hopes to study engineering at a prestigious institute and contribute to the country’s development.Sharing the third rank, Om Kumar of BSS High School Rajwara in Begusarai also scored 97.6%. He is the son of Deepak Mishra, a labourer at Barauni Dairy, and Kusum Devi, a homemaker. Om Kumar said he wants to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. “It is a proud moment for me,” he said.
