Nirvan survives fire to place fifth in world

IT WAS somewhat of a surprise to learn that Nirvan Singh, of  15 Sheffield Street, Orchard Gardens, Chaguanas, placed fifth in the world in Further Maths on the basis of the last Cambridge  Advanced Level Examination results recently released. “We know that he was ambitious and that he studied hard but to gain world recognition is indeed heartening,”’ his parents George Bemal Singh and Jayanti Singh said. Nirvan gained “A’s” in these Advanced Level Subjects — Add Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and General Paper  and he was admitted to pursue medicine at the Mt Hope Medical Complex at the re-opening of the University term tomorrow.

Nirvan, who received his primary education at  Montrose Vedic School, Chaguanas, and his secondary schooling at Presentation College, Chaguanas, comes from a strictly vegetarian family, who worships at the Sai Baba Temple in Palmiste, Longdenville, Chaguanas. “We are all happy and proud at hearing this announcement from the Ministry of Education and first the Creator must be praised for giving him the Divine Guidance to perform with so much excellence,” his parents stressed. At the Ordinary Level Examination in 2002, Nirvan  topped the school  in the pass list, securing 11 Ones  in all  — Maths,  Add Maths, English, Geography, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing,  Computer Science, and Spanish.

Nirvan suffered a severe setback in 2001 when the house in which he was living was completely destroyed by fire along the Chaguanas Main Road, (the Dulip Singh Establishment) and he literally had  to start all over again as all his equipment, books and notes went up in flames. He wished to thank all his friends and well-wishers who came to his rescue and helped to put him back on his educational feet once more. While at Presentation, Nirvan was a prefect assisting in positive behaviour of students as well as pointing the way to proper discipline that would channel their way into becoming useful citizens of the nation.

He was thankful for the contribution that all his teachers  made toward shaping his life so far and particularly mentioned  Dipchand Bahall, his Maths teacher,  and Samlal Mannie (Physics) “for giving me the final bit of polishing to perform with such distinction in the Advanced Level Examination.” To young students aspiring to aim high in Examinations, Nirvan advised, “Manage time sensibly,  be highly disciplined, concentrate on your studies, be properly focused, believe in yourself and have faith in the Supreme Being.”