Topper Raksha Gopal a master of many trades
NEW DELHI: Almost a year in advance, students appearing for Class XII board exams usually bury themselves with their course books and divorce themselves from their social life. Most rarely go past their school books and mock test papers.
However, CBSE topper Raksha Gopal instead took an active interest in European political concepts and would regularly keep abreast with political developments.
“I used to study Fascism and Communism. I personally had an interest in Partition Era and would also teach my elder sister,” says Raksha.
When she woke up on Sunday morning and logged into the CBSE website, what she saw was beyond her “wildest dreams”. She could now finally pick a course she had been passionate about – Political Science from Delhi University.
Raksha, the daughter of the chief finance officer of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, has been described by her family as multi-talented. She has a keen interest in playing electric keyboard and has also been brushing up on her french.
“She has completed five levels in electric keyboard from a Delhi-based institute affiliated with Trinity College of Music, London and has also completed C1 grade in French from Alliance Francaise,” said Prerna, Raksha’s elder sister.
A student of Humanities at Amity International School, Noida, Raksha scored 100 in three subjects — English core, Political Science and Economics — and also managed to score 99 in two subjects — Psychology and History
“I have been passionate about Political Science. I did expect good marks but did not believe that I will top. Now, I am free to pursue the course of my liking and I will be applying for Lady Sri Ram College for Women (LSR), Jesus and Mary College. I am also keeping other options,” Gopal said.
Her parents always knew that she was topper material, but never anticipated such a performance. Her mother Ranjini Gopal, had been with her daughter the entire year, and was more than happy to be her daughter’s “emotional punching bag”. “I was my daughter’s emotional punching bag. We had supported her throughout the year and I am personally glad that she made us all proud today,” said Ranjini.
After clinching the top spot, Raksha’s father, Srinivasan, wants her to pick a course of her liking rather than follow the band wagon. “I never put any pressure on my daughter and now I want her to live her life. There is scope in every subject, what matter’s is the interest,” he said.