(Success Story) IES Topper - R. Karthikeyan
Even amidst the jubilation last week, the 21-year-old civil engineering
graduate and State topper from Anna University reflected on the nature of the
education system he had endured
When he was 12 years old, R. Karthikeyan attempted to steal a book titled,
‘Science tells you why’ from his school library.
Bored with his textbooks and knowing his father, a farmer,
would not be able to afford illustrated books, he had set his sights on the
science book. But Karthikeyan was caught in the act by a teacher, who beat him
hard, and ever since, Karthikeyan hated school.
Last week, the 21-year-old civil engineering graduate from
Anna University, bagged the fifth all-India rank in UPSC’ s engineering services
exam. Even amidst the jubilation, the State-topper reflected on the nature of
the education system he had endured.
“Most schools are like jails where students are regularly
beaten,” Karthikeyan said. “I studied hard in class XII so that I could get into
a college that was not like my school,” he said, recalling his days in a school
near Salem, famous for producing board rankers.
