Sightless in her right eye, and with partial vision in the left eye, Dharshana M.V. overcame all challenges to secure third rank among differently-abled students in the CBSE Class 12 examination, bagging 96.6 per cent marks.
A Commerce stream student of Nalanda International Public School in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri, Dharshana M.V. had to depend on the magnifying glass to study.
For Dharshana, her poor eyesight due to microcornea was not a "deterrance" and she was determined to excel in her studies.
Speaking to IANS over phone from Tamil Nadu, Dharshana dedicated her success to her parents and teachers for believing in her. She said they were the "main motivation" behind her success.
She also said her school management and her eye doctor made her overcome all the challenges.
"For me my poor eyesight was never a hindrance," Dharshana said.
She said her parents, teachers and her opthalmologist and family physician gave her the right suggestions which helped to develop her confidence.
Explaining how she overcome her challenge to study, Dharshana said, "My family doctor suggested that I use a magnifying glass. I have been using the magnifying glass to study since Class 6. I avoided reading on the computer as it causes some eye pressure."
She said that she preferred visuals and audios for studying which released her from the pressure of reading.
On why she opted for the Commerce stream, Dharshana said, "Commerce was a new subject for me. Till Class 10 I was a regular Science student but I thought I should learn something new and fresh, and opted for the commerce stream."
Dharshana said she never expected to top.
"After giving the CBSE examinations I had the satisfaction that I had done well, but I didn't expect to do so well," she said.
The girl from Krishnagiri said that she was not interested in moving to Delhi or Mumbai but wanted to stay in her own state. She is also keen to learn classical vocal music.
"I have planned to do B.Com in Chennai as it also has top colleges. Besides my studies I also plan to learn Carnatic music," she said, adding that she practices singing at home and has been singing since her childhood.
On the challenges faced by other students with similar problem of microcornea, Dharshana said doctors should come forward to help students if there is a full treatment to the condition.
"I am quite aware about other students suffering like me. I am suffering from microcornea in my right eye so I want to know if there is any cure for it. If yes, then it can bring relief to students like me."
She said that a doctor told her that current medical treatment does not provide full cure for such eye problem.
A total of 2,497 candidates with various disabilities sat for the CBSE exams this year, of who 2,123 passed.
Ajay K. Raj from St. Thomas Central School in Thiruvananthapuram topped in the differently abled category with 98 per cent marks, while Lakshmi P.V. of Palghat Lions School, in Kerala's Palakkad got 97.2 per cent marks.
The results of Class 12 were delayed after the board proposed to scrap the "moderation policy".
However, the Delhi High Court shot down the proposal, saying the rules cannot be changed at the eleventh hour.
(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
--IANS
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