Health failed them, determination didn’t

Instead of attending school regularly, Mohit Rawal, 18, spent hours in a hospital every morning undergoing chemotherapy from January last year. The Class 12 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya-3, Colaba, scored 71% in the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) board exams. Radhika Agarwal reports.

Instead of attending school regularly, Mohit Rawal, 18, spent hours in a hospital every morning undergoing chemotherapy from January last year. The Class 12 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya-3, Colaba, scored 71% in the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) board exams.

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“I could not appear for the board exams in 2011 as I was diagnosed with leukemia in January,” said the Navy Nagar resident. He took re-admission into the school last August but could not attend classes. Last month, his blood reports were normal but his therapy will continue for another year.

“More than physical stress, there was mental strain to cope with what I was missing in school. My teachers and friends were very supportive. My parents kept saying how my health should be the priority,” said Rawal, who wants to join the India Navy like his father after graduating in computer engineering.

And Rawal is the not the only one student who braved poor health. Just after two exams, Smriti Kharg, 17, was hospitalised with severe stomach ache due to appendicitis. “When the doctors said I should be hospitalised for a week, I refused. I did not want to miss my exams,” said Kharg, a student of Rajhans Vidyalaya, Andheri.