Click to play videoNew Delhi: After class 10 and 12 board exams, most schools call for felicitation ceremonies for the toppers. Here's a different story altogether from Mumbai.
In an unusual felicitation ceremony, students who got 40 per cent and even 35 per cent marks were honoured for passing their 10th standard exams.
All these students had passed with just 35 – 45 per cent marks in their exams. It's an initiative by the Citizens Organisation for Public Opinion who believes that marks are not everything.
"There is too much pressure on the students. They should know that even after getting bad marks they can do well later in life,” says Sanjeev Kanchan, president COPO.
So the guests of honour at the function were also people who fared badly in their 10th but went on to become very successful. Like Mr R K Shetty, a life insurance agent and a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a global collective of the world's top insurance agents.
"Instead of marks we should concentrate more on their skills,” he said.
So did the students take a leaf out of his book?
"I have passed with just 45 per cent marks. But with all the encouragement, I feel I can fare better later on,” Sameer, a student. “I will try my best to get better narks next time,” Ashwin, another student.
With the immense pressure on students in an increasingly competitive world, COPOs message is clear - there is honour in being a topper, but life doesn't end if you're not.
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