GUWAHATI: Anushka Das, a 16-year-old student from Rajhans Sishu Vidyalaya in Rukmini Nagar, has exemplified remarkable academic achievement by scoring 562 out of 600 marks (93.6%) in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations, all while battling cancer for the past year.
Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after discovering a lump in her neck on January 24, 2024, Anushka initially delayed seeking medical attention until after her Class IX final exams, despite her mother’s urging to get a scan. A biopsy conducted at the B Borooah Cancer Institute confirmed the diagnosis, leading her to begin treatment on March 6, 2024, which included six chemotherapy sessions and 15 radiation treatments that extended into January of this year.
Throughout this challenging period, Anushka remained steadfast in her academic pursuits, rejecting suggestions to take a year off. “I felt I should continue; it helped take my mind off the illness,” she remarked, often using her time in the hospital to study and watch educational videos on subjects like science and mathematics.
Despite the cognitive challenges posed by her treatment, Anushka’s unwavering dedication to her studies shone through, with her father, Arunavo Das Choudhury, emphasizing that her determination was pivotal to her success. Anushka Das’s story serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.
