Twin siblings collaborated to achieve admirable NGSA performances

Jul 02, 2017 News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....e-ngsa-performances/

Although they both didn’t make it into the top 10 this year, their respective performance at the 2017 National Grade Six Assessment [NGSA] was certainly on par. Truth be told, twin siblings Kripa and Vikram Thani, have been each other’s main supporter and driver throughout their 11 years of existence. It was no different when it came to the NGSA.

Throughout their primary education at Mae’s Under 12, they embraced healthy competition. They were able to stand out, independently as outstanding performers. However, it was Kripa Thani who was named among the top 10 performers with her 522 marks, a mere two marks below the top performer this year. But like the top performer, she too has secured a place at the country’s premier public secondary education institution – Queen’s College. The highest possible score that was attainable this year was 529.

Vikram gained a score of 509. Having done his best, Vikram said, “I feel very proud of my performance…I got 96.2 percent and I also feel proud for my sister since she attained third (highest marks) in the country [at the NGSA].”

For Vikram, preparation for the NGSA was “fun” although “a bit tiring at times.”

“Once you think of it as sacrifice to do well, it was fun,” he said. And he intends to retain this frame of mind throughout secondary school and even at the Oxford University in London where he envisions furthering his education as an economist. Once qualified, he hopes to take over his father’s business – Mohan’s Household Appliances situated on Regent Street in the capital city.

Like her brother, Kripa is relieved that the period of hard work has come to an end for now. She nevertheless does not hide the fact that she is very elated with her performance. “I feel proud [and] amazed; I can’t believe I did it,” said the soft-spoken pre-teen. She had every confidence that she would do well. Her self-assurance was understandably premised on the fact that she, would each year be among the top performers of her school.
Her outstanding ability was well noted and supported by her parents and her brother, who was always equally outstanding.

Kripa also eagerly spoke of the dedication of the teachers at Mae’s Under 12. “My class teacher – Teacher Penny, Sir Kareem, Teacher Onica and also Teacher Cindy… a big thank you to her [Teacher Cindy] because she has been there with me since Grade One,” related Kripa.

But achieving success came at no small price. Kripa recalled she and her brother had a rigid study regimen, which was complemented not only with intense sessions at school but also extra lessons.

“After school we would come home about 5:30pm and then we would go to extra lessons and after that we would still come home and do more work but not too late,” related Kripa. Not too late, according to Kripa, translated to going to bed at around 21:00 hours. This was the routine of the twins from Grade Five and throughout Grade Six. When asked if the routine was tiresome, Kripa admitted that it was sometimes but she quickly quipped, “I knew it was just a sacrifice for a few days until the actual day.”

But the sacrifice seemed like a rather small price to pay when Kripa considered, “My mom was always there and also my dad…They always encouraged me and they showed me the right path so that I can be who I am today. My brother also worked hand in hand with me and has done well too,” added Kripa.

However it wasn’t all work and no play. The siblings have been able to balance their studies with extra-curricular activities which they have also been able to master. Kripa has taken to lawn tennis, swimming and dancing. She is currently a dancer for Naya Zamana which is the annual dance production of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

Vikram on the other hand is also an ardent lawn tennis and squash competitor. He also has a black belt in karate.

According to Kripa, both she and her brother have learnt valuable lessons from being dedicated in whatever they do.

For the benefit of pupils who will next year be in the same position she and her brother were this year, Kripa said, “I would say to them when it’s time, you sacrifice all of your time because you know it’s for a good thing and when you get your results it will be good.”

Kripa plans to continue to be dedicated even as she sets her eyes on one day delving into a fashion oriented business. She, however, hopes to acquire a law degree in order to be able to safeguard herself legally too.

“When I was younger I thought that I wanted to be a lawyer but now I want to be a businesswoman so I decided to do both,” said a smiling Kripa who hopes to further her studies abroad after completing her secondary education. However, for now, she plans to enjoy her vacation until the new school year commences in September.

The parents of the top performing twin siblings, Shalu and Gautham Thani, are elated. According to Shalu Thani, “We feel extremely proud.

They are two different personalities but they couldn’t have done it without each other. They have pushed each other and their motivation is what has made them get to where they are. They have been competitive in a very positive way and they have been working really hard for the past year so we expected them to do well.”

An evidently grateful Gautham Thani added, “I know in my heart they put a lot of work into it…They easily pushed in 12 hours a day [of work]. They have worked really hard and the sacrifice the made has paid off.”

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