The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : High-flying cadet is a bag of surprises

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Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

High-flying cadet is a bag of surprises

Staff Reporter

Ooha Sushmitta

HYDERABAD: She is just 14 and has already marched on the prestigious Rajpath. Not just that, she has brought laurels to the State by becoming the first girl cadet to win All India Best Cadet from Andhra Pradesh this year.

Ooha Sushmitta, a Class 10 student from Rosary Convent School and also an `A' certificate holder, is a through and through all rounder.

She cleared all the competitions at the unit, group and then the State level to finally contest for the esteemed award during the Republic Day camp, held every year.

"I got inspired by my mother who is a `C' certificate holder herself. When she told me about her experiences in NCC, I decided to join it given the first opportunity. I got that in Class 8," says the beaming cadet.

Parental support

The younger child of mining consultant B.C.K. Reddy and LIC agent K. Sailaja, Sushmitta doesn't tire of thanking them for what she is today. "I had a lot of support from my parents. When I went for the RD camp, I missed the entire year at school. My mother always kept a tab on my notes and lessons. Both have always encouraged me," she adds.

And for all who say extra-curricular activities mar academic performance; this All India Cadet secured 85 per cent marks despite negligible attendance at school. Her list of accomplishments does not end here. She has represented Southern region in the prelims of India's Child Genius, a quiz game conducted by Siddhartha Basu, in 2004.

This young achiever is also a bag of surprises. On one hand she is interested in reading mystery and adventure fiction, a "voracious reader" as she calls herself. On the other hand, she writes poems and stories! Any guesses what inspires them? "Life and its various phases," she says.

Sushmitta aspires to be a psychiatrist. However, when it comes to a question about her dreams, she says, "I want to live independently on my own and be successful at whatever I do. Success to me is something that satisfies and makes me proud of myself."

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