Chhattisgarh girl who battled cancer is Class 10 board examination topper

Ishika Bala, a student of Government Higher Secondary School in Gundahur village, Kanker district, secured 99.17% in the Class 10 exam

Published on: May 8, 2025, 21:09:22 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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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.

Her familys said Ishika Bala was diagnosed with blood cancer in November 2023 (seen in photo with her father)

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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