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Her last year’s achievement brought laurels to the city.
Shilpi, an alumnus of the BCM School at Focal Point, topped in Class XII Punjab School Education Board examination securing 93.8% marks. Recalling the day, she says, “Mujhe laga thha ki mere jaisi khushi kisi ke paas nahin hai (I felt that no one is as happy as I was).This became a turning point in my life and I got opportunity to study further.”
Presently perusing her Bachelor in Fine Arts from Government College of Fine Arts in Chandigarh, she belongs to a humble background. “In the beginning when I came to Chandigarh, students often used to ask me, ‘Aren’t you the same girl who topped in Punjab? Recognition helped boost my morale. Even now, my peers address me not by my first name but call me ‘93.8%’. It is weird but encouraging.”
Her recognition did not limit itself here only. “After the declaration of the Class XII result, our school arranged a trip to the Wagha border. There also, people recognised me by saying, “Oye aha tan Punjab di topper kudi hai”.
But Shilpi is awaiting the award money promised by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. “Before my December holidays, a Rs 37,000-cheque was handed over to my college principal on my name but it created confusion as one of my senior’s name is also Shilpi. With the help of Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harish Rai Dhanda, I got a written proof that the cheque was sent in my name. I hope to get the award money soon.”
“My success has earned recognition for my parents as well. We have seen many ups and downs in our life. Three years ago, when my father lost his job, my mother borrowed Rs 50 from someone to buy ‘wheat flour’ to feed us. Things changed for the better with the passage of time but still it is difficult for them to bear the cost of my studies. Little help from every nook and corner is all that counts. One of my friends at the college and an alumnus of Sacred Heart Convent School, Neha Chawla has helped me a lot by footing the cost of expensive colours and other stationary items required as part of our curriculum. I dream to do Masters in Fine Arts and become a teacher.”
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