Success scripted from hospital beds

Two days before the HSC exam, Priyanka Mishra, 18, was in hospital coping with a serious heart condition. Doctors had advised her bed rest, warning her that if she strained herself even a bit, she could die.

Two days before the HSC exam, Priyanka Mishra, 18, was in hospital coping with a serious heart condition. Doctors had advised her bed rest, warning her that if she strained herself even a bit, she could die.

But the determined Navi Mumbai resident took her exams at her exam centre and managed to score 56.33%. The student of Oriental College, Sanpada, had developed breathing problems last year, and was diagnosed with a heart condition in which her valves had collapsed.

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"I was very condition. Doctors told me that my life was more important than the exams," said Misra. "But I did not want to lose a year."

Misra had missed her maths practicals on March 13 because she was in hospital. “It was a tough phase for me, but I am happy today," said Misra whose college allowed her to take the practical exam on March 31.

Several city students braved illness to take the HSC exams and on the day of their results they all feel that it was worth the effort.

Vignesh G was diagnosed with kidney failure three months before his boards began. A commerce student at Mithibai College, Vile Parle, Vignesh stopped attending classes in December and underwent dialysis thrice a week. Vignesh scored 76.17%. “Vignesh was very enthusiastic and the college was very supportive,” said Vignesh’s father, Ganesh. Vignesh scheduled his dialysis sessions to avoid clashing with the exam dates. Sometimes, delaying sessions resulted in water retention, swelling of the feet and a high blood pressure. “It was unexpected. I was really nervous but the college and my family had a lot of confidence in me. I did not want any special exemption,” said Vignesh who wants to be a chartered accountant.

“We asked evaluators to take her oral exams in her car. She would have done much better had she been in good health,” said Prakash Sonawane, vice principal, Bhavan’s College.