The Hindu : Front Page : This youth is truly a cut above the rest

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Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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This youth is truly a cut above the rest

T. Saravanan

MAKING A MARK: J. Arun Kumar, who secured third rank in the district in SSLC examinations. — Photo: G. Moorthy

MADURAI: Having struggled for more than four decades, success has at last knocked at the doors of this battered household in Anuppanadi.

A boy from this home that relies on the family profession of hairdressing secured third rank in the district in SSLC examinations, the results of which were declared on Thursday.

Neither poor economical background nor the predicament of a brother suffering from heart ailment deterred J. Arun Kumar from performing well. His father, K. Jegannathan, a hairdresser, has been a source of inspiration for this boy.

No private coaching

"Given my family conditions, I cannot afford to go for private coaching, but my parents provided me all the support. The urge to perform well in the board examinations was more in me," says Kumar, a student of Thiagarajar Model Higher Secondary School.

He attributes his success primarily to his peer group.

"I was one among the top five in the class and there was stiff competition among us, as who would emerge on top. Besides, our teachers supported all of us. Ultimately, this magic of one trying to better the other helped me to do well."

No disturbance

Mr. Jegannathan, a proud father, says: "Kumar has been a top ranker right from primary school. Though I did not have the wherewithal to support him, the best thing I decided to do was not to disturb him."

Like many of his friends, he had not fixed his eyes on any particular professional course, though he has a soft corner for mathematics and biology. His immediate target is to perform well in Plus Two.

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