Latest news with #IshikaBala
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Chhattisgarh girl scores 99.17% while overcoming cancer; tops State board
For Ishika Bala from Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, the Class 10 board examination wasn't just about dealing with anxiety but also about the trauma and pain of battling cancer. The 17-year-old overcame both to emerge as topper in the State board examination taken by 3.28 lakh students, scoring a near perfect 99.17%. Enduring 'constant shivering and frequent nasal bleeding besides extreme fatigue and overwhelming stress' for over a year, Ms. Bala — who studies at a government school in Kanker district — missed the board examination last year after being diagnosed in October 2023. Her family says that while she has always done well academically, this difficult phase strengthened her resolve and determination. While her cancer is in remission, she will be under observation for the next 2-3 years and has routine check-ups scheduled every two to three months, according to her father, Shankar Bala. Cheer amidst the gloom Ms. Bala said that though she tried to adhere to her rigorous six-hour-a-day study routine, her physical condition would not permit it. 'My body weight increased, white blood cell and platelet count fell, and I endured blood clots. At one point even touching water would trigger shivering, and the mental stress was extreme. On days I felt slightly better, I tried to study a little, but overall it was excruciating,' she says. Her condition has put considerable pressure on the family. Ms. Bala is the third among five children — four daughters and a son. The eldest, a sister, is married. Her father, a farmer, works a modest 1.7-acre plot to support his family. The parents were forced to stay in Nava Raipur, where she underwent treatment for a year, and the situation has left him in debt. 'Four of my children are studying. I spent ₹15 lakh, which exhausted my savings and forced me to take a substantial loan, which I still owe,' says Mr. Bala, 47. His family was among the Hindu Bengali refugees who migrated from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to undivided Madhya Pradesh and were resettled in the Pakhanjore area of Kanker or North Bastar. He says the examination results have given the family a reason to cheer, however, and he is proud of his daughter. A student of the Government Higher Secondary School in Gundahur village in Kanker, Ms. Bala was declared joint topper with Naman Kumar Khuntia of the Swami Atmanand Govt Utkrisht Eng Med School, Jashpur, on Wednesday. Ms. Bala credits parents and teachers for her success and says they kept her motivated. She has her sights set on engineering and subsequently the UPSC examinations because the IAS 'get a lot of respect and have both the power and the passion to change things.' What does she want to change? 'The education system for sure,' she says. For now, she wishes the government would provide her financial assistance to study.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Chhattisgarh girl who battled cancer is Class 10 board examination topper
RAIPUR: A 17-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh's Kanker district who topped the state's Class 10 board examination on Wednesday battled blood cancer for two years and recovered, her family said. Ishika Bala, a student of Government Higher Secondary School in Gundahur village, Kanker district, secured 99.17% in the Class 10 exam conducted by the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE). She shares the top position with Naman Kumar Khuntia from Swami Atmanand Government Utkrisht English Medium School in Jashpur district. 'At times, I thought I wouldn't be able to study further. But I didn't give up. It is important to have confidence in yourself,' Ishika, who hails from a village in Pakhanjore area of Kanker, a Maoist-affected area, told reporters. In November 2023, she was diagnosed with blood cancer while preparing for her Class 10 board exam. Her family said she had to skip the board exam last year due to her illness and underwent treatment at Balco Medical Centre in Nava Raipur. 'I want to pursue engineering and will opt for Maths in the next class. My ultimate goal is to become an IAS officer,' Ishika told reporters with her voice reflecting quiet determination. 'She defeated cancer with her willpower and courage,' said her father, Shankar Bala, a farmer. ' Our entire family supported her through the treatment and motivated her to continue her studies. Her hard work has paid off,' he said. Shankar said he would ensure the best possible education for his five children despite financial constraints.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
This is how a farmer's daughter battled blood cancer and topped class 10 board exams with 99.2%
In a state where board exam results often reflect more than academics, one Kanker district name has caught everyone's attention– Ishika Bala . At just 16, this young girl has done what many would find unimaginable. Not only did she overcome blood cancer, but she also went on to top the Class 10 Chhattisgarh Board Exams with an exceptional 99.2%. Her story stands out– not because of a headline-making score alone, but because it's a story of quiet strength, determination, and unwavering focus, even during one of life's toughest battles. Ishika had to step away from school and miss her board exams last year due to a critical health condition. While others were preparing for exams, she was undergoing treatment for blood cancer. But she didn't give up. A year later, she returned to her books, determined not just to complete the journey she had started but to do it with excellence. Her goal of becoming an IAS officer , she shared, gave her the strength to move forward each day. Operation Sindoor 'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Her father, a farmer by profession, shared his pride in Ishika's journey and how it has inspired those around her. Kanker, a district known more for its conflict with insurgency than academic results, is seeing a different kind of spotlight with Ishika's success. In a region where the female literacy rate is still below 60%, her performance is being hailed as a moment of hope and inspiration . In a surprising coincidence, the state topper in Class 12 exams, Akhil Sen , is also from Kanker. He scored 98.2% in the commerce stream, securing 491 out of 500 marks. Helping his father run a newspaper agency, Akhil managed his studies while also delivering newspapers every morning– a routine that demanded both discipline and commitment. Eight students from the Bastar division were included in the Class 10 and 12 merit lists this year, a notable achievement for a region that has struggled with insurgency-related challenges for over two decades. Announcing the board exam results from Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the successful students, their families, and educators. In his message to those who couldn't pass this time, he said, 'To those who couldn't succeed this time, don't lose heart. Failure is often the first step toward success. Prepare for the next attempt with even greater resolve.' This year, nearly 3.3 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 exams, with a pass percentage of 76% – a marginal increase from last year's 75.64%. In Class 12, the overall pass rate stood at 81.8%. Girls continued to lead with an 84.7% pass percentage compared to 78% among boys. Raipur dominated the Class 12 merit list, with seven of the top 10 students from the capital city. While the numbers are important, it's stories like Ishika Bala's and Akhil Sen's that are being talked about across the state. They serve as a reminder that perseverance often matters more than circumstances, and that hope can thrive even in the most challenging settings.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
From cancer fighter to topper: Ishika Bala leads Chhattisgarh class 10 board exams with 99.2%
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The title of "Supergirl" perfectly suits Ishika Bala . A Class 10 student from the Maoist-affected Kanker district , she not only triumphed over cancer but also topped the state board exams. The farmer's daughter scored an impressive 99.2%, securing the top position in an exam where only 76% of students passed. Ishika's success serves as a symbol of hope in a district where the female literacy rate is just 59.6%.Ishika recently emerged victorious from her battle with blood cancer and continued to study for her exams despite the challenges posed by her treatment. Although she was supposed to take the Class 10 exams last year, her health was too fragile at the time. She attributed her success to the unwavering support of her parents and teachers, sharing that her dream of becoming an IAS officer motivated her to push through the weakness and pain whenever her life-threatening illness tried to hold her father expressed immense pride in Ishika, noting that her remarkable recovery and determination have left everyone who witnessed her journey deeply an incredible twist, Akhil Sen, the Class 12 topper , also hails from Kanker. He achieved an impressive 98.2% (491/500) in commerce. His father operates a newspaper agency, and Akhil would help deliver papers each morning while preparing for his board exams. Out of the 85 students who secured spots in the top 10, eight are from the Bastar division, a region that has been grappling with Maoist insurgency for the past 25 years. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who declared the Class 10 and 12 board exam results at the secretariat in Nava Raipur on Wednesday, congratulated all the successful candidates, their families, and teachers. "To those who didn't succeed this time, don't be disheartened. Failure is often the initial step towards success. Approach your next attempt with even more determination," CM Sai 3.3 lakh students took the Class 10 exams, with 76% passing, showing a small increase from last year's 75.64%. In Class 12, Raipur led the merit list, with seven of the top 10 students hailing from the state capital. The overall pass percentage stood at 81.8%, with 84.7% of girls passing, compared to 78% of boys.[Inputs from TOI]
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Chhattisgarh student tops class 10 board exams amid battle with cancer
RAIPUR: Amid ongoing treatment for cancer, Ishika Bala, a student from Chhattisgarh's Maoist-hit Kanker district, has emerged as the Class 10 state topper, balancing her studies with a personal battle few her age face. The daughter of a farmer, Shankar Bala, she was diagnosed with blood cancer in October 2023. Her health issues caused a temporary setback, and she couldn't appear for the Class 10 board exams in 2024. However, the obstacle didn't prevent her from moving ahead, as she nurtured a strong belief in herself with renewed hope and zest to sit for the board exams in 2025. The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education declared the results for the Class 10 board exams on Wednesday. This year, 3.28 lakh students appeared for the exams, and the overall pass percentage stood at 76.53%. Ishika delivered a remarkable performance, securing 99.17%, even as she continued to brave challenges on the health front. Her father said the adversity was equally a difficult test of her personal strength, ability, and patience to overcome the hurdle as she guided herself toward the intended goal of giving her best in the board examinations. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated her for her outstanding performance. 'Talented daughter Ishika Bala, a resident of Gondahur in Kanker, secured a top rank in the high school examination. Brilliant students like her and others from the Maoist-affected regions have scripted a new story of success with their hard work, dedication, and zeal while overcoming the challenging adverse situations,' said the CM. 'Ishika is a student of a government school and proved their ability to achieve excellence,' said Vijay Pandey, senior journalist in Kanker.
