Chandigarh Teenager Defies Medical Odds to Write Class 12 Board Exam
In an extraordinary display of resilience, 17-year-old Kanishka Bist from Chandigarh wrote her Class 12 board examination on Friday, just after completing a grueling 13-day period on ventilator support in an intensive care unit. Wheeled into the examination center on a stretcher and still connected to an oxygen cylinder, the student from Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Senior Secondary School in Sector 26 demonstrated that courage can overcome even the most daunting physical challenges.
Medical Emergency and Determination
Kanishka, who has been living with muscular dystrophy since birth, faced her most severe health crisis in recent weeks. What began as a routine cough and cold on January 30 rapidly escalated into a serious medical emergency. Her father, Prem Singh Bist, a businessman from Zirakpur near Chandigarh, recounted the harrowing sequence of events.
"She was admitted to a hospital in Panchkula on February 2, but as complications mounted, she was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, Chandigarh," Bist explained. "Soon after, she was moved to the intensive care unit and placed on ventilator support for 13 days. For nearly 10 of those days, she did not have proper consciousness."
Despite this critical condition, Kanishka remained focused on an important academic milestone. "On Thursday evening, she told us she wanted to give her board exam on Friday," her father revealed, highlighting her unwavering determination.
Logistical Challenges and Accommodations
The family faced significant logistical hurdles to make the examination possible. They coordinated urgently with school authorities and the examination center at a government school in Manimajra, approximately 10 kilometers away. Given her fragile medical condition, the Central Board of Secondary Education granted Kanishka an extra hour to complete her physics paper.
"During her Class 10 boards as well, we had taken an hour extra from CBSE because of her health issues," her father noted, indicating this wasn't the first time the educational board had accommodated her special needs.
Remarkably, Kanishka chose to write the examination herself without assistance. "Since it all happened at the last moment, we could not secure permission for a scribe from CBSE," her father explained, adding that her decision to personally attempt the paper left the family both stunned and inspired.
Ongoing Recovery and Future Examinations
With four more board examinations remaining, Kanishka now faces the dual challenge of continuing her recovery while preparing for upcoming tests. Her elder brother and family members provide constant support during this demanding period.
"Doctors are positive that she will improve further," Bist stated optimistically. "After what she has shown us, we believe she will."
Kanishka's story transcends the typical narrative of academic perseverance. It represents:
- A triumph of human spirit over physical limitations
- The importance of institutional flexibility in education systems
- The critical role of family support during health crises
- How determination can redefine what's medically possible
Her journey with muscular dystrophy has long made everyday tasks demanding, but the recent medical crisis tested her endurance like never before. Yet, when faced with the choice between focusing solely on recovery or pursuing her academic goals, Kanishka chose both paths simultaneously, creating an inspiring example for students facing challenges across the country.
