I was determined for No 1 rank,says state topper

She said the daily routine of eight-hour study has

finally paid off. “When you work hard,you are quite sure that the result will be good. I was determined to get the number one rank in the state. I am so happy that I could achieve my aim,” said Bela.

For almost a year,there was no party,gatherings or any family function for Bela. “I would ask my parents to lock me up in the house whenever they would go out for any function so that I was not disturbed by visitors,” said Bela,the only child of her parents. She chose to study during the night. She used to go to sleep at 7.30 pm to wake up at 1 am and study for seven hours.

Bela wants to become a CA. Her parents are state government employees.

The second rank was bagged by Chandresh Bhutani (94.43 percent) — son of a diamond polisher — from Surat.

He told The Indian Express: “I cannot narrate my feelings. I kept photos of former state toppers near my study table and fixed my passport size photo next to them. Every day before

going to school I would look at them to strengthen my resolve to secure a place in the merit list. I want to become an IAS officer and work in the underdeveloped areas of Gujarat. I also want to secure a place among the top-10 in the CA exam.”