Where are the Sikh boys my dear?

And yet another Sikh Girl! ...

Where are the Sikh boys my dear?

Chandigarh, June 4
A widely believed misconception that preparation for competitive examinations requires giving up all is proved wrong if one takes a look at the study schedule of toppers in the Common Entrance Test (Medical)-2011 conducted by Panjab University. The Chandigarh Tribune talked to the two top rank holders and their parents to elicit their views.

Tejeswar Jain (1st rank in CET-medical 2011)
A student of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College Public School, Sector 26, Tejeswar, a resident of Ambala, is a fervent cricket fan and also played table tennis to destress himself while preparing for MBBS entrance exams including CET. Incidentally, all four generations in his family have been doctors. He has been studying in Chandigarh for the past two years and his mother, who is also a doctor, shifted to the city to take care of him.

“We never felt the need to insist or motivate him to study for the entrance exams. When he was in class 11 he was in a dilemma over whether to opt for nonmedical or medical courses since he has an exceptional command over mathematics. But eventually he decided to take biology instead,” said Poonam Jain, Tejeswar’s mother.

Laying emphasis on the role of tuitions to prepare for competition examinations, his father, Anil Jain, said: “It was due to the professional approach of his tutors that he was he able to score well.”

Harsimran KAUR Bhatia (2nd rank in CET-medical 2011)
A rigorous study schedule of seven to eight hours in class 12 stood Harsimran in good stead. Daughter of a doctor couple, Harinder and AS Bhatia, she was displeased by her CBSE PMT rank and had expected to do well in CET. “Despite the shock I got over my CBSE PMT rank I was determined to do better. My mother was the biggest inspiration for me and she took up the challenge of managing work, home and motivating me constantly,” said Harsimran.

On a positive note, she added: “I knew getting a top rank in an entrance exam was not an impossible task. The level of coaching being given in Chandigarh is extremely good and I had all facilities that helped me do well.” An alumnus of St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32, she scored 97.8 per cent in class 10, being the second rank holder in the tricity. However, instead of restricting herself to academics, she participated in a number of extracurricular activities and has also participated in interschool oratorical contests.

Motivation crucial, say parents
Nirupama Bassi, mother of Mehak Bassi, the 4th rank holder in CET (medical), said the most crucial aspect of competitive examinations was motivating children. “My daughter was a good basketball player up till class 10 but thereafter she gave up sports to put in more study hours to crack competitive exams. Students who prepare for such tests get extremely depressed at times. Her hard work paid off, but it’s very important for parents to constantly motivate their kids,” said Nirupama.

Over 8,000 exam candidates this year
About 8,080 students appeared in the Common Entrance Test (Medical)-2011 held by Panjab University this year. The test is conducted every year for admission to medical colleges like Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector 32 and BSc (honours), BSc (tourism management), BSc (hospitality & hotel management), BA, five-year integrated LLB (honours) course and BCom courses.

EVERY SIKH SHOULD TAKE INSPIRATION FROM HARSIMAR KAUR - WORK HARD TO GET RESPECT FOR THEIR PARENTS, THE COMMUNITY AND THEMSELVES.

Wonder why the KAUR is dropped by reporters? We should explain to them the meaning of Kaur.


Bandhan Preet Singh,
Broadband Engineer (TTA),
BSNL, Mohali, Chd., Punjab.

kulbir kalsi kalsi56@gmail.com