Sixteen-year-old Manasi Arora from Mumbai is among the genre of students who exuberate confidence and sincerity in their approach towards studies. In the recent announcements of the ICSE results, Manasi found herself in the national news. And why not? With a phenomenonal 98.4%, Mansi topped the results, making a distinct mark for herself.
The result day is the day students all over India wait for. It is the day that rewards their hard work, time management, focus on studies and restriction on entertainment. For 16-year-old Manasi, national ICSE topper,this was not so. “I did everything, I read books, I would dance, sing, watch TV and above all my mobile would be with me all the time,” exclaims Manasi...
Payal Shetty, Manasi’s primary school teacher expresses joy and pride at the achievement of her 'all-time-favourite' student. “I remember telling her that it’s my wish to see her name in the boards. But she topped the country! The values are very well-cultured in her, along with her humble nature. This is very important. I am sure that practices of the Art of Living have helped her a lot,” she says.
“Consistent in her work, she would always come out as the best in her school."
“I have not seen a student who would step out of the examination hall and say that 100 on 100! Such is her confidence.”
-Smitul Mishra, Manasi’s secondary school teacher.
Mansi, who has undergone several Art of Living courses for children and teens, says she included 'concentration pranayama' and the Sudarshan Kriya in her routine.
“My daily pattern included studying during afternoon and evening. I possess a good memory and so I remember well,” Manasi says. She adds that the ‘Concentration Pranayama’ that she learnt in the YES! Course came very handy as it takes hardly three minutes to practice it. “I don’t know how, but I was not at all stressed. Sudarshan Kriya has been a part of my life but during tight schedules, Concentration Pranayama was the substitute,” she added.
A journey well begun
Meanwhile, it is the behaviour and calm nature that that helped her along the crucial year of preparation. Sujata Arora, Manasi’s proud mother, said that she never saw her daughter feverish during the year. “I have seen her friends calling her to ask about the result, but she would tell them that the exams are already over, we must simply await the results! Even though I was concerned, I was not worried at all,” she added.
Sujata attributes The Art of Living course for building the personality of her daughter. “I would say that she got the right attitude at the very nascent age and thus we see her having a very endearing personality. She is an all-rounder: very good at academics and very good at extra-curricular activities too,” she says adding, “This ability to balance is enhanced on the course. I would say as a mother what I observed was that Art of Living has played a major role in keeping her stress-free and calm-minded.”
Echoes Manasi: “The difference that I found out in me was that I have become more positive, more balanced. I have become quite independent and strong. There is much clarity of thoughts. I got a direction and focus through these courses. My belief in setting goals and target has become stronger.”
Reach for the stars
The young achiever, in her message to other students said, “Everybody has their own study pattern and it is best to study accordingly. We need to have big goals. Also, aim high as this is one thing that will keep you moving ahead in life. At the same time we have to be relaxed and confident!”
Manasi aims to be Chartered Accountant, (CA) and also pursue MBA in Finance as she “would want to go a step ahead of the rest in whatever I do,” she smiles. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, the Art of Living has been her inspiration. “He is ever smiling, calm and his personality on the whole has always been inspiring,” she adds. It is something that reflects in her too.
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Writer: Monica Patel
