It was a memorable Monday for 16-year-old Aafreen Shaikh. The daughter of an autorickshaw driver in Ahmedabad, Aafreen has scored scored 98.31 percent in the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary class 10 board examinations, the result of which were declared on 28 May.
Born in Ahmedabad, Aafreen is the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Shaikh Mohammad Hamza.
A student of FD High School in Ahmedabad’s Juhapura, Aafreen always dreamt of becoming a doctor – a dream she can now pursue because of her near-perfect score. She hopes to take care of her parents and sister in the future.
I studied regularly. I want to pursue MBBS in the future. My parents always dreamt of making me a doctor and I will surely fulfil their dreams.Aafreen Shaikh to ANI
As many as 7.75 lakh students appeared for the GSEB SSC exams, Financial Express reported. The topper, who scored a whopping 99 percent, was Savani Hil Ishwarbhai. Out of 600, Savani scored 594 marks.
Aafreen’s 98.31 score was mere decimals away from the topper’s.
But a score this high – a remarkable feat for most students – is even more impressive when one takes into account that Aafreen comes from a humble background.
Aafreen’s father, Shaikh Mohammad Hamza, had to struggle to put food on the table, with the additional weight of funding his daughter’s education. She she wants pursue the science stream so she can fulfil her parents’ dream of her becoming a doctor.
I nurture a family of four and will do all that I can to educate my daughter and fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.Shaikh Mohammad Hamza, Aafreen’s father, to The Times of India
While his daughter’s efforts have gone a long way in bringing her close to her dream, he is worried about how he’ll pay for her education with his limited income.
We’ve never differentiated between a girl or a male child and I will be most proud if my daughters study and become independent. I am trying to arrange for financial assistance so that Aafreen can pursue a career of her choice.Shaikh Mohammad Hamza to TOI
(With inputs from ANI, The Times of India, and Financial Express)
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