BANGALORE: Girls have taken the centre stage once again in the II PUC results, repeating their Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations performance. A total of 2,75,344 girls (regular and external) appeared for the exams, out of whom 1,79,508 passed.
On the other hand, only 1,59,913 boys passed out of a total of 3,19,853 students (regular and external).
Deepa M, a student of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science (PCMC) at MES Kishore Kendra here, secured the top rank in the Science stream with 593 marks out of 600 and a percentage of 98.83.
Deepa said her focus was always on the Common Entrance Test (CET). “My focus was never on PUC. I studied nearly four hours everyday,” she said. An aspiring engineer, Deepa wants to pursue Electronics and Communications Engineering. “I want to join the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Surathkal, as I have done well in AIEEE. If I get a good rank in the CET, I will join R V College of Engineering,” she said.
Shyla Bhat, her mother and a BSNL employee, said, “I knew she would do well, but topping the state was something I never expected.” She added that Deepa was upset about the question paper leaks, but “she overcame the anxiety soon”.
Ravina B Jain, state topper in the Commerce stream, was all smiles after securing 98.5 per cent, with a total of 591 marks out of 600. A student of Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College, Ravina got centum in all her core subjects - Basic Maths, Accountancy, Statistics and Business Studies.
“I solved a lot of previous years’ papers, and took the preparatory exams in college seriously. When my seniors could top the state, I knew I could do as well,” said Ravina. An aspiring chartered accountant, Ravina said her eyes were set on securing the state rank since first PUC itself.
Shashikala S Dafali, a student of SUSJ PU College, Kubihala, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad, has topped the state for the Arts stream with 569 marks out of 600, with a percentage of 94.83. Shashikala’s parents are farmers, and this small town girl aspires to become an IAS officer. “I prepared myself with the objective of topping the state. I studied nearly eight hours a day. I would start with languages first, and then the core subjects,” said Shashikala.
Shashikala thanked her father, who is in a hospital recovering after a surgery, and mother. “Without the support from my parents and teachers at college, I would never get this far. I will always be indebted to them,” she said.
Minister Kageri’s daughter Jayalakshmi secured distinction with a score of 525 marks out of 600. Kageri was proud of his daughter’s performance. “Given the fact that she studied in a government school up to class X, I am happy that she has got 87.5 per cent,” he said and added that he would encourage her further to realise her dreams.