BENGALURU, 9 MAY

Ankita Basappa Konnur, who came first in State by scoring a perfect 625 out of 625 in SSLC exam, was nervous as well as excited on Thursday morning like other students. 

Confident in clinching the top spot at Morarji Desai Residential School in Malligeri, nestled within Mudhol taluk of Bagalkot district, this farmer's daughter eagerly awaited the results, yearning to witness the sheer joy in her parents’ eyes. Yet, when the moment of truth arrived, Konnur's elation knew no bounds. Not only did she reign supreme within her school but also emerged as the unrivalled champion of the entire State, securing a flawless score in every subject.

She stands alone in achieving a perfect score across all subjects this year, a feat that has ignited waves of admiration throughout her village. Villagers flocked to her doorstep, lifting her on their shoulders in a jubilant procession that reverberated through social media platforms.

Konnur is the daughter of Basappa Konnur, a farmer, and Geetha, a homemaker who works on their family farm occasionally.

Salar News caught up with the modest topper. “The pride I saw in my parents’ eyes overwhelmed me, validating the countless hours of hard work,” Konnur said. Konnur, who has two siblings, said she wants to pursue science for pre-university. “I want to take engineering and then write Civil Services exam to serve the nation as an IAS officer. I aspire to be a beacon of hope for the children in my village.”

Speaking to Salar News, Vinayak Mantur, a teacher at Morarji Desai Residential School, said, “We stand tall in the knowledge that our school has nurtured a State champion. Our school has little resources; we are hoping that the government allots better facilities so that we can produce better results.”

Presently, the school, housing 250 students, grapples with limited resources, boasting only five computers. Inspired by Konnur's success, the school fervently hopes for the establishment of smart classrooms and the procurement of additional computers. —Salar News