This year, in the class 12 Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) results, it’s not the girls who have outshone boys, but vice-versa. At the top of the merit list is Ludhiana’s Ekampreet Singh, 17, with 100 per cent (500/500) marks. A commerce student from BCM Senior Secondary School, Focal Point, Ludhiana, Ekampreet is also a gold-medallist in gatka. The joy of his father Sucha Singh, who works as a mechanic at Oswal Industries for meagre Rs 20,000 per month, knew no bounds when he got to know that his son had topped the state, without any tuition or private coaching. “He never troubled me and would study without saying anything,” he said. Ekampreet, while thanking his school teachers for all the effort, said that he never required any tuitions or private coaching as his school teachers would regularly hold extra classes and were always available whenever he had any doubts. While some students leave playing sports to prepare for board exams, Ekampreet had gone to Chhattisgarh just few days before his final exams to participate in National School Games where he won a gold medal in gatka. “I had full support of my teachers and parents. Despite being a mechanic, my father never left any stone unturned to give me and my two elder sisters a good upbringing,” said Ekampreet, a resident of Ramandeep Colony on Mundian road. He added that his sport was never a hindrance in his studies, rather helped him focus more. “I feel fresh and motivated after playing gatka. I was elated when I won gold medal in Chhattisgarh. I was confident that I would balance studies and sports well,” he says. Ekampreet’s mother Baljeet Kaur is a homemaker. He has two elder sisters. “I never demanded anything from my father as he himself would know my needs. In class 10, he got me a two-wheeler to go to school so that I don’t have to waste time while travelling in a bus,” he said, adding that he never believed in complete boycott of social media during board exam preparation. “Social media these days is a major tool for awareness and gaining knowledge. It helps in education but there has to be a self-control,” he said.
