For Yashas D, concepts like destiny or good luck are baseless myths. He believes that focus and hard work are the only two routes to success.
Well, his belief bore fruit when the CBSE results for Class 10 were recently announced.
The student of Vidyavaridhi International School in Huliyar had scored 498 marks out of 500 (99.6%) and emerged as the topper not only in Karnataka but the Chennai region as well.
“I was expecting a good result, around 90%, but topping the state never came to me even in my wildest dreams. So, it was a shockingly pleasant to know the news. It feels good when years of hard work pay off,” expresses the 15-year-old in a conversation with The Better India.
Yashas’ journey towards overcoming his struggles make his success story genuinely inspiring.
Hailing from Thammanahalli, a remote village in Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk, Tumakuru district, Yashas was born to a family of farmers. However, due to his father’s illness, he had to manage other responsibilities alongside his studies.
“My husband recently had a stroke, and due to his health issues, Yashas had to pitch in. Sometimes it’s like my son became an adult way before the right time, which is both a sad and proud realisation. But, of course, seeing him juggle the two and still manage to top the state is nothing short of unbelievable. I am proud beyond words,” says his mother, Nethravathi.
She adds that her son never had a dearth of potential or focus. His day would start early in the morning, and he would travel 12 kilometres to reach his school, every single day.
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“He was never one of those kids who would waste away their time. He would utilise every bit of it. It got me worried sometimes to see him sleep for just six hours a day,” she recalls.
Not a time-table but flexible time management
Unlike many students, Yashas does not believe in strategising. He studied whenever he could but with undeterred concentration.
“I did not use strategies, shortcuts or a strict routine. The road to school and back was long, and so I would utilise the time spent on the bus to study. Even between two classes, I would scroll through the chapters to clarify or note any doubts whatsoever. My teachers played a great part in my success. They would help me with all the doubts even beyond class hours,” says Yashas.
“All I did was to focus on what mattered the most so that in the future I could take care of more important things for my family,” he adds.
An aspiring IITian, Yashas plans to take up science in Class 11 and 12 and wants to grow up to dedicate himself to research in technology. He has already begun classes at the Vagdevi Bhavan PU College in Bengaluru.
Sharing his mantra to success, he adds, “Stage make-up can never take you far and I always reminded myself this word of caution. You should study from day 1, because delaying something, only leads to pressure piling up. That’s why I would study and finish one chapter at a time, with the school teacher. Consistency truly makes a difference.”
Kudos to Yashas. We hope that he and many like him, reach their best potential and do India proud!
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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