Navsari ice cream vendor’s son gets AIR-4 in CMA

Surat: Roadside ice-cream vendor's son Rahul Vaishnav turned long train journeys, late nights, and perseverance into a national achievement, securing All India Rank (AIR) 4 in the CMA Foundation results declared on Thursday. Another student from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) Surat chapter, Dishant Vakhariya, also made the city proud by securing AIR 8, placing two Surat-coached students in the Top-10 list.A native of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, Vaishnav grew up in Navsari, where his father runs a vehicle-mounted ice-cream cart. For the past year, the teenager travelled daily to Surat by the 9.30am train for coaching at Ravi Chhawchharia's Institute, returning home every evening to help his father sell ice cream."My biggest motivation was seeing my parents work day and night for more than two decades. I felt should repay their sacrifices with the best possible results," Vaishnav told TOI. After attending classes, he would study further at the Narmad Library before heading back home. "I returned to Navsari by evening, helped my father at the cart, reached home around midnight, and revised till 2am," he said.Vaishnav completed his schooling at Seventh Day Adventist School in Navsari and is currently pursuing BCom. He aspires to complete both CMA and CA and eventually establish his own CA firm. His elder brother is also pursuing ACCA and has completed the knowledge level.Vakhariya, who secured AIR 8, credited consistency and discipline for his success. "I plan to gain corporate experience after completing CMA and CA before starting my own firm. Daily revision and consistent study made the difference," he said.ICMAI Surat chapter president Kishor Vaghela said 593 students appeared for the CMA Foundation examination this year, of whom 496 cleared it. "We are extremely proud of Rahul and Dishant. Rahul scored 362 marks and Dishant 348, earning them a place among the Top 10 CMA Foundation rankers across India," he said.