Identical twins stand out at IIT-Kanpur
KANPUR:Akshansh and Akshaan Agarwal, born a few minutes apart, have grown up with likings and habits as identical as their faces.
Because of these traits they have become the cynosure of all eyes at the ongoing counselling of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K).
Both of them scored 96.6% marks in class 12 examinations and also cleared the JEE (Advanced) with flying colours. To top it all they have booked seats at IIT-K.
Smita Agarwal, their mother, said: “Since childhood they have been inseparable. They wear same clothes, hang out together, play cricket together and even they fall sick together.”
“Their choices are identical as they both prepared for JEE and cracked it together. They also wanted to study together at IITKanpur,” she added.
They wanted to study mechanical engineering in IITKanpur together. But the difference in their ranks became a dampener.
Anyways the twins quickly sorted the issue out. Akshansh, who secured 1218 all India rank, locked a mechanical engineering seat while Akshaan, with his 2235 rank, opted for chemical engineering.
Akshaan was getting mechanical engineering but in IIT-Kharagpur, a separation, which the brothers, born on May 20, 2001, did not want at any cost.
Smita Agarwal, their mother, is happy with their decision.
Another aspect of the family is that their grandfather, RN Agarwal, retired from IIT-Kanpur as assistant registrar. And their father Sanjeev Agarwal, principal judge in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, was born in IIT-Kanpur where he completed his basic education.
Sanjeev Agarwal credits his wife for the success of their children. “I have a transferable job but I settled my family in Gwalior to ensure the studies of our children was not affected,” he said. “More than me my wife has taken care of everything in the family,” he said.
Akshansh and Akshaan said it was their dream to be in the IITKanpur. And as they put it, they want to become engineers and would not attempt the civil services examination.
“We will pursue doctorate after our course is completed and then research in our respective fields,” they said with a highfive.