Rank 9 in Madhyamik. Rank 9 in HS. Sayan Pan’s scores don’t reflect the hardships he has faced.
Sayan’s father, Joydeb Pan, 65, works on the paddy field in their village in Gopinathpur, about 8km from Joyrambati. But age is catching up and he is unable to put in as much labour as before.
Yet, Joydeb ensured that his son went to school.
Sayan’s performance — 97.4 per cent in the HS — has been his greatest reward. He scored 90 in English first language, 97 in English second language, 97 in chemistry, 99 in biological science, 95 in physics and 99 in maths.
He had scored 97.4 per cent in Madhyamik from Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyapith, Joyrambati, and cracked the admission test at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur. “My son topped the test among nearly 600 students. The school waived his fees and hostel charges and provided him coaching for medical entrance exams,” Joydeb said.
Sayan is now waiting for the National Entrance Cum Eligibility Test results that would take him a step closer to his goal of returning to his village as a doctor.
“Most students from financially deprived families come to our school in Class V and they have enough time to mould themselves here. But Sayan came here just two years ago,” said Brahmachari Turiyachaitanya, headmaster of Ramakrishna Mission, Narendrapur.