She did not let disability deter her from becoming an all-India topper: PM Modi praises CBSE topper on 'Mann ki Baat'

In his monthly radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi names Gurugram student Anushka Panda, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, as an inspiration. 

On July 29 , in the 46th episode of his his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named Gurugram student Anushka Panda as an inspiration. A survivor of spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease, Anushka topped CBSE Class 10 exams this year.

In the Mann Ki Baat episode, Modi said,

“I came across the news of Gurgaon's specially-abled daughter Anushka Panda, who is suffering from a physical condition called spinal muscular atrophy. Anushka did not let her disability deter her from becoming an all-India topper. There were a lot of specially-abled students and those from poor families who did not let their adverse situation become a hindrance in the path of their success.”

He added that they proved that “with determination and hard work, any milestone can be achieved”.

Also read: These CBSE Class 10 toppers show that there is no shortcut to success

In a conversation with The Asian Age, an ecstatic Anushka said,

“The prime minister himself will congratulate me on my board results. I am thankful to him for his kind encouragement and motivation.”

A student of Suncity School, Sector 54, Gurugram, Anushka scored 97.8 percent marks. Spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that takes away peoples physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and thereby hindering their ability to walk. Anushka, who enjoys playing chess, is aiming at becoming a software engineer.

“I was consistent in my preparation from Day 1 itself. I would like to thank my school, which has been extremely supportive. Since I am a special child, my school ensured that I was provided with special infrastructure to write my examination," the CBSE topper said in an interview to India Today.

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