Mumbai: Fruit seller’s son from Vashi tops SSC exam with 91.40 per cent

Sudhir Gupta at his father’s fruit shop

Fifteen-year-old Sudhir Gupta was overjoyed on receiving his SSC results. The hardworking teenager, who also helped his fruit-seller father in Vashi every day, secured the top rank in his school with an impressive 91.40 per cent in the recent SSC exams. Sainath English High School, Vashi, has even put up a banner displaying the toppers' photos and ranks, with Sudhir featured at No. 1. Sudhir told mid-day that while his family has always supported his dreams, he was able to focus on studies thanks to his like-minded, high-achieving friends.

Sudhir would manage the store when his father left to buy the fruits

Alpana Gupta, his sister, who is a college student, said of her younger brother, "We knew Sudhir would do well, but coming first in school filled us with happiness. He worked so hard in Std IX and X, especially with a laser-sharp focus. He also used to help my father in his fruit shop. He managed both and came out tops." The Gupta family lives in a residential colony in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Sudhir's father, Manager Gupta, came to Mumbai years ago from Devariya village in Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Sudhir said...

"I knew I would do well, but securing the first rank came as a total and very pleasant surprise. There was a lot of competition within the school itself. When I got my results, I recall it didn't quite sink in. Then I called my father, after which the news was relayed to the others at home. I felt like I was floating on Cloud 9 for a while, until I came back down to earth with a thud, to fill out college admission forms. I want to pursue Computer Science," he said with a laugh.

Time

One of Sudhir's strong points is time management. He studied diligently while also spending time at his father's fruit shop, helping him sell fruits. Sudhir's uncle - his father's older brother, Sohanlal Gupta, whom he affectionately calls "Bade Papa" has a vegetable shop next to the fruit shop.

Sudhir and his family outside their house at Shiv Prerna society, Vashi. Pics/Dweep Bane

Sudhir added, "It is important that I help Dad and my uncle, too. I used to manage the store when Dad had to leave to get fruits, etc. I think it helped that my friend circle was also very academically inclined - that kept me sharp and focused," said Sudhir.

"My message to those pursuing academic excellence is to surround yourself with like-minded people. There will be fewer distractions and a better understanding of the sacrifices needed to reach your goals," said Sudhir, showing a maturity that belies his age.

Coffee

Sudhir's older sister, Archana Gupta, who is currently in college and aspires to become a drug inspector - a government official responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and legality of drugs and medicines from manufacturing to sale - said, "I remember guiding Sudhir when he used to feel sleepy while studying late at night. He would eat coffee powder straight from the sachet to stay awake and keep studying. I used to do the same during my exams too. That was one way he managed to put in the required hours to prepare."

Parents

The widest smiles were on the faces of his parents, Ramrati and Manager Gupta. Ramrati, attributing her son's success to an organised routine, said, "He is extremely hardworking. Even when I gave him food, he would tell me, ‘Feed me quickly, I have to get back to studying.'" She added that Sudhir had a dedicated time slot for every task.

Sudhir Gupta with his elder sisters Archana (left) and Alpana outside their house in Vashi. Pics/Dweep Bane

"Everything had to be done on time. He balanced school, studies, helping at the shop, and football like an adept artiste walking a tightrope." Ramrati also believes that home-cooked food plays a role in nurturing the brain. "Today, too many kids veer towards outside or fast food. I believe this is detrimental to the brain, though some may not agree. For Sudhir, it has always been home food - dal-chawal, roti, sabzi - and that, I believe, is one of the fuels for his mental and physical strength," she said.

Journey

Sudhir's father, Manager Gupta, 45, said, ‘This has been such a long journey from my little village in Devariya, Uttar Pradesh. I came to this city of gold as a boy in 1995. Years later, I went back, got married in the village, and my wife and I returned to Mumbai. I first sold fruits on a cart and then moved on to selling them from this shop - Jay Gurudev Fruit & Vegetables. My older brother, Sohanlal Gupta, sells vegetables."

Both Manager and his wife studied up to Standard VIII. Manager said, "To see my children doing so well academically means all the sacrifices we made in this city are worth it. We may not have fancy degrees, but we always understood the importance of education. When my children were very young, I used to tell them, 'Study so hard that you never fail, because we only have enough money to pay the fees once - we can't pay them again.' Today, far from failing, they've achieved great success and a first rank in school. What more can a father and mother want?"

As he arranged plums, mangoes, pears, avocados, chikoo, and watermelons in his shop, Manager concluded triumphantly, "I have customers who congratulate me on my son getting the first rank in school. I feel so proud. Like they say, the fruits of patience and I must add, hard work are sweet."