Excelled in exam ensuring cancer's failure in test of grit

Time of India

30-04-2025

Lucknow: Class 10 student of
City Montessori School
, Gomtinagar 1 branch,
Shaurya Kaushik
, set an example of perseverance and courage, scoring 98.8% in
ICSE board exams
and proving that with determination and positive attitude, no obstacle is insurmountable.
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In class 9, Shaurya was diagnosed with brain tumour and had to undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Amid the physically and emotionally draining process, he remained committed to his studies, said his teachers.
Only child of Harish Kumar, a railway employee and Bharati, working in Union Bank of India, Shaurya would attend classes and complete assignments even during treatment, his perseverance being admired by everyone around him.
Shaurya continues to undergo medical check-ups every three months, which involves a tiring 10-day travel from Lucknow to Mumbai and back. "But he manages his schedule efficiently, balancing hospital visits and academic responsibilities with maturity beyond his years," said Bharati.
Shaurya has been issued a Unique Disability ID by Govt of India, certifying 55% disability, but he refuses to let that define him.
His consistent hard work and strong will helped him emerge as one of the top performers in his class. Sharing his mantra for life, Shaurya said "We should always strive to move forward with a positive mindset. Instead of dwelling on problems, it is more productive to focus on finding solutions and progressing consistent toward our goals."
No different is story of class 12 student of City Montessori School, Mahanagar branch, Shashwat Shukla, who was diagnosed with tongue cancer in Oct 2024.
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For seven months, Shashwat underwent treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai, said his teachers. Giving tough fight to all hurdles, just a week before board examination, he came back to the city and scored 66.5%. A student of physics, chemistry and biology with biotechnology, Shashwat shared it was sheer determination and hard work that helped him excel in the exam.
His mother, Alka Shukla, senior manager in a finance company, said, "During treatment in Mumbai, Shashwat received his textbooks and study materials by courier and kept studying though many, including his school, advised him to drop one year, but Shashwat said not appearing for the exam, would mean the disease had defeated him."
Shashwat's father, Sanjeev Shukla, an engineer at TCL, stood by him throughout the challenging period along with the entire family.
Defying all odds, Abdullah Khan of CMS Rajendranagar branch scored 93% marks in Class 10. He suffers from Achrondoplasia (skeletal dysplasia, resulting in short stature or dwarfism). He aspires to become a computer engineer "My mother Saba Khan and my grandfather Mohd Usman Khan are my biggest motivation and strength," he shared.
"I didn't do anything special to score high marks, I only focused on what was taught at my school," said Abdullah.
The key was solving last 10 years question papers' and gathering online resources for studying, he added. "My advice to students would be stay focussed and give their best and use all resources in the correct way," said Abdullah.
(With inputs from Pratyusha Srivastav)