Topper's dilemma: Engineering or medical?

Topper's dilemma: Engineering or medical? - Lucknow - City - The Times of India

TNN, Jun 2, 2010, 05.56am IST

LUCKNOW: Inspired by his doctor aunt, city-based boy, Arnab Bhattacharya always dreamt of stepping into her shoes. But then came the flick ‘3 Idiots’ and Arnab became fascinated with the IITs. But now, he is in dilemma. And why not? The teenager has cleared the CBSE pre medical test along with the IIT-joint entrance examination. In short, he has to choose which way to go - medical or engineering.

He is sure to get a good college during the counselling. “But I am in a fix...” says Arnab who scored 96.2% marks in intermediate examinations, the results of which were declared last week.

To note, Arnab has secured 2,076th rank in the CBSE-PMT, which means that he would surely get a good college in the second counselling. He has also cleared the written examination for Armed Forces Medical College, the interview for which is slated to take place on June 15. With a rare combination of biology and maths as subjects, Arnab also decided to take the IIT JEE. “I thought it would help me in getting used to various other examinations... then my cousin, who studies with me was taking the test... So I also decided to give a chance,” said Arnab who has secured 1,658th rank. “With such a rank, one is sure to get into IIT,” said his teacher.

Hailing from a humble background, Arnab is the only child to GM and Kaberi Bhattacharya. While Kaberi is a home-maker, Arnab’s father works as a supervisor with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). “I wanted to be a doctor since the beginning... but now that I am sure to get admission in an IIT, all friends and relatives want me to go there,” said the student of HAL school.

The proud parents are extremely elated over their son’s achievement. “I run short of words to explain what we feel at this point of time,” said the elated father. On which way should Arnab go, the parents want the son to take a decision. “We have decided to stand by what ever decision Arnab takes... we do not want to impose anything on him,” said Kaberi.

Sharing his success mantra, Arnab said that he never studied all the time. “Study only when your heart and mind are ready,” he said. And why does Arnab believe in his strategy? “Quality matters and not the number of hours,” he reasoned. His mother shared that all through his boards, Arnab watched the IPL.

“He did not miss a single match... Infact, on the eve of his biology paper, Arnab got a little scolding from me but he told me to let him enjoy the match... he also said that he would take care of the paper,” she said who could believe his son only when she saw the marksheet showing that Arnab scored 99% marks in biology. On what the future holds for him, Arnab is not sure. “I have left things to god besides deciding to appear for counselling at both IIT and medicals... I hope, god helps me take the right decision,” he said