As thousands of students were preparing for their ICSE examinations on March 23,Ruchira Shah was caught in the inferno at her Stephen Court residence. The fire,which claimed more than 40 lives,left Ruchira traumatised.

She was so traumatised that she could not eat or sleep, says Ruchiras mother Lata Shah. Her family moved in to a relatives residence in Minto Park after which Ruchira appeared for three other papers. Even as she is not satisfied with her results,her family lauds the great courage she showed in appearing for the examination amid such tragedy.

* Divya Kataria: 79%,ISC

Bhawanipore Gujrati Education Society

For 18-year-old Divya Kataria,the value of the

marks she secured in the ISC examinations is more than what the numbers reveal. With the help of a writer,Divya wrote her accountancy,mathematics and computer science papers while she was admitted in the Health Point Nursing Home after being diagnosed with jaundice.

Divya has shown great determination. She has performed very well in the papers she wrote from hospital. We are very happy for her, said Dora Banerjee,principal,Bhawanipore Gujrati Education Society. Divya plans to do her graduation from the same institution and top it up with an MBA later.