TheSite

Staff Reporter, The Site

NEET Kerala topper Aysha S has said dedication and confidence helped her grab the meritorious victory. "I used to start studying after performing Tahajjud (optional prayer performed during the night after waking up from sleep). And determination helped me realise the dream," she told a Malayalam daily.

A student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Koyilandy in Kozhikode district, Ayisha always dreamt of studying medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. And she secured the 12th rank at the national level and second rank in the OBC category. Ayisha secured 710 marks out of 720 in the second attempt while her rank was 15,429 in the first attempt.

Ayisha's father A P Abdul Rassak, who is employed in the UAE, said this is Aysha’s first step towards becoming an efficient doctor adding that the family wants her to become a good doctor serving the needy.

Meanwhile, Ayisha's victory has highlighted the magnificence of Kerala's public schools. Citing Ayisha was a student of government school, Education Minister C Raveendranath said the victory has made the public schools proud.

She was also congratulated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and IUML leaders P K Kunhalikutty, E T Muhammed Basheer and M K Muneer.