Oman’s CBSE topper studied only five hours a day

Muscat: “It was my father who has always taught me that nothing is impossible in life and has also taught me how to fight problems in life.”
Inspiring words from Durva J Mahale who has just earned the distinction of becoming India’s Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE’s) Oman topper for Class XII with 97.8 per cent marks, despite studying a only five hours a day. Mahale, a student of Indian School Al Ghubra, bagged 489 marks out of 500, scoring 95 in English, 97 in Mathematics, 100 in Accountancy, 99 in Business Studies and 98 in Economics.
“I think if you pay attention in class and practice at home, then you are ready for exams,” said Mahale, who will be pursuing a Chartered Accountant course in Mumbai, India.
Taking inspiration from her father, Jaydeep, Mahale, said: “Initially when I came to know about my results, I was surprised and hadn’t expected it,” she told the Times of Oman from Mumbai.
Message to students
In a message to the students, who are appearing for this year’s examination, she said: “I would like to tell all students preparing for this year to work hard and give their best and to not worry about the results. I strongly believe that studying for five hours is good enough with a couple of breaks,” she said, adding these breaks help improve the concentration level.
“Besides that, studying activities held in our school, such as the carnivals, school trips and other programmes acted as stress busters.”
Regarding the rising number of students using social media, Mahale said: “Social media can either be a boon or a bane to a student. It depends on every individual student and how they use it. I have an account, although, I am not too active on it.”
Thanking teachers for their efforts, Mahale said, “I would like to thank my principal, vice principal, teachers, tuition teachers and my parents for their blessings and help without whom achieving this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Even Mahale’s teachers were full praise of her. “She is a very unassuming, quiet, and a hard working student. We congratulate her parents, who have always been very supportive and her teachers, who have been her mentors,” said Papri Ghosh, principal, Indian School Ghubra.
Uma Sanithkumar, class teacher and Mahale’s Business Studies teacher, said: “Durva J Mahale was a calm, thoughtful and obedient student. She had an excellent rapport with her peers. Her remarkable spirit of perseverance and aptitude for learning are her stepping stones to success. She is aware of her strengths and weaknesses, and works diligently and consistently towards her goals.”
Even the head of the departments of ISG, Sureshkumar and Kannan were full praise of her. “Durva is highly focused and take things in her own strides,”they said.
Wilson V. George, chairman of the Indian Schools Board congratulated all the students, school management, principals and staff members for their excellent showing in this year’s exams.