Gurgaon: A Gurgaon boy with hearing impairment has cleared the JEE (Advanced) exam and made it to IIT-Roorkee while another city boy with Asperger Syndrome has won ticket to pursue higher studies in the stream he wants.
Pranay Agarwal and Rahul De'Mello, both 17, were in the special needs category but that didn't stop them from achieving their goals. And neither went to a coaching institute. Pranay suffers from hearing impairment, which makes it difficult for him to comprehending things, particularly because even a hearing aid does not help sometimes. Rahul suffers from Asperger's Syndrome(high-functioning autism), wherein it is difficult for a child to comprehend a lecture or speech. It is also difficult to identify or express feelings.
Pranay was far from disheartened when he was denied admission by the city's engineering coaching institutes. They argued he might struggle with the demanding syllabus. Pranay, however, didn't give up and chose to study on his own. But it came as a surprise to his parents when he secured the 101st rank in JEE (Advanced), and finally made it to IIT Roorkee.
A football lover, Pranay started taking interest in academics only after he completed his Grade X. "I was always more interested in sports like soccer and basketball, than academics. It was a sudden transformation when I developed interest in computers after completing Grade X. Computers got me interested in science. Even though I found mathematical equations a little difficult, I tried my best to understand them," said Pranay, a student of The Shri Ram School Aravali.
Rahul, who scored 95% in his boards, has decided to take admission in electrical engineering at Ansal's Institute of Technology, whose entrance he cleared. "I always wanted to know how they run. Maybe that is what led to my interest in science, especially physics and chemistry," said Rahul, who also plays the piano. He was given the option of using a scribe (writer), but he chose to write his exam papers by himself.
While Pranay studied for eight hours a day and practised sample papers of the last 35 years to crack JEE, Rahul said he chose to spend more time in the chemistry lab. for a one-to-one 'titration' session with his teachers.
"As a chemistry teacher, I was initially a bit sceptical (rather, curious) whether De'Mello would be able to take on the load that the subject demands. But he pleasantly surprised me with the precise work displayed during a one-to-one titration session in the laboratory," said Florence Joseph, De'Mello's chemistry teacher.
Calling it an amazing journey of commitment, Manika Sharma, Director, The Shri Ram School Aravali said, "This is what success stories are made of - focus, determination and dedication. I think there are a lot other students can learn from them. They stand out not for their disabilities but their uniqueness."
Talking about Pranay's determination and focus, his mother, Prerna Agarwal, said, "Pranay scaled heights slowly and steadily. He overcame his own shortfalls with the help of his classmates and teachers to understand concepts in various topics. I would like to tell all parents who have children with special needs that they need to understand their children and let them do whatever they want to do."
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