While the experts present on the occasion shared their views on different aspects of the education system in Gujarat, the students got an opportunity to clarify their doubts on the same.

Besides the parents of the toppers from across the state, the function was attended by Devang Nanvati, RJ Dhwanit, Dr Tejas Patel, Deepal Trivedi and Hiren Patel among others at the Circuit House.

Vegetable vendor's daughter aims IAS

The state topper in the Higher Secondary (General stream), Rinkal Makhecha is daughter of a vegetable vendor in Rajkot, and she strongly believes that “poverty is not an excuse for non-competence.”

Rinkal, a student of G K Dholkiya Higher Secondary School, who scored 94 per cent, has set her eyes on a CA degree and later cracking the IAS exams. She managed to score such a high percentage without any private coaching or tuition classes.

“Our teachers have been very supportive that is why I never felt the need for tuition. Although my parents couldn't help me in my studies, they have been very supportive,” she said.

Rinkal had secured 92 per cent in the secondary education examination, which was the reason her school offered her free Higher Secondary education.

She says she was never deterred by her weak financial background.

“When I had passed the secondary exams, I missed the first rank by two marks. Looking at the topper then, my mother told me she wants to see me there. That is when I decided to make it to the top this time,” she said.

Rinkal's father Sureshbhai Makhecha said: “It is by her sheer hard work that she has achieved this result. We will extend all support to her in future as well. We have decided to take a loan for her higher studies.”

Rajkot mill-worker's children dream to establish hospital

Ranking ninth in the state with 94 per cent marks in the Higher Secondary (Science) state board exams, 17-year-old Hetal Chimanbhai Sarvaiya sounds highly ambitious when she talks about setting up a holistic hospital in the future.

Daughter of a mill worker in Rajkot, Hetal is not thinking in isolation. She has support of her brother Alpesh and elder sister Vandana. Alpesh, himself a rank holder in HS exam, has completed MBBS from Ahmedabad. He is preparing for admission to MD (Doctor of Medicine), while Vandana is pursuing a degree in Ayurvedic medicine.

Hetal, whose parents have studied till Class VII, said: “My brother Alpesh has inspired me and my sister to pursue a degree in medicine.”

She added: “By the time I finish off my degree in medicine, there will be already two practicing doctors in my family. Three of us have therefore thought of establishing a hospital in the long run.”

Alpesh, who was inspired to top the board exams after reading about the toppers in newspapers, said he is satisfied with Hetal's performance.