Hoshiarpur/Fatehgarh Sahib, June 22
Mandeep Singh of A.S. Senior Secondary School, Mukerian, has topped the matriculation examination of the Punjab School Education Board this year.

His father, Mr Kuldip Singh, is the Head Teacher in Government Elementary School, Mehndipur, and mother, Mrs Kuldip Kaur, is a teacher in Baba Makhan Shah Public School, Tanda Ram Saha. The parents said Mandeep had been a brilliant student throughout his career. He secured 90 per cent marks in the annual examination of Class VIII. They were thankful to the teachers of A.S. Senior Secondary School for extending all possible help and coaching to their son to achieve his mission. They said Mandeep Singh never got any private coaching.

Mandeep Singh has two elder sisters — one has done her B.Sc and the other Prabhjot Kaur is doing plus two. She was also in the merit list of the annual examination of Class X. Navdeep Singh, younger brother, is also a brilliant student.

Mr Hardev Singh and Mr Balbir Mittal Anand, former Principals of A.S. Senior Secondary School, said Mandeep was a well-behaved and brilliant student.

Mandeep Singh said he would work harder to get achievements in studies ahead. He wants to become an engineer and serve the country and society.

Rupinder Kaur, student of Baba Zorawar Singh Baba Fateh Singh Senior Secondary School, Fatehgarh Sahib, and daughter of a leading local advocate, Mr K.S. Khera, has got the second position securing 617 marks out of 650.

It is for the first time that any student from the district has achieved such a position at the state level. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr K.S. Ahluwalia, has announced that she will be honoured at the Independence Day function.