For most students, exam season is stressful. But for some, just showing up takes more courage than we can imagine.

This year, beyond the headlines of high scores and merit lists, a handful of stories quietly rose to the surface — not because of the marks on a report card, but because of what it took to simply show up. These are stories shaped by persistence, daily effort, and the kind of determination that rarely makes the news but stays with you long after.

1. The visually impaired girl who wants to be a professor

Isha Jain was born without sight, but you’d never know it from the way she carries herself — focused, grounded, and full of quiet ambition.

This 15-year-old from Pune just scored 93.2 percent in her Class 10 board exams, including 95 percent in English — a subject she loves deeply. A student of Kalyani School, she’s had the support of a writer and a resource teacher, but what really carried her through was her own steady discipline.

She balanced academics with drama and singing, following a routine that most adults would find exhausting. Her parents created a nurturing space where she was encouraged to grow at her own pace. Her dream? To........

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