Shivani Mishra, a tenth-grader at the Chobhar-based Modern Indian School, was ranked among the top five winners of ‘South Asian Horlicks Wiz Kid,’ a contest organised in Bangalore on December 15-20.

Mishra, who hails from Dhanusha district, won a trophy, cash prize of INR 100,000 and a trip to South Africa. Of the 50 contestants, Mishra, three other participants from India and one from Sri Lanka emerged winners.

According to her, two participants, each from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the rest from various Indian states took part in the contest. Aasna Singh, a tenth-grader from the Dhapasi-based Triyog Higher Secondary School, also represented Nepal in the contest, that focuses on holistic development of young students.

The participants underwent a series of tests, including written and oral test, quiz contest, cultural show, leadership talent test and physical tasks.

Mishra said she felt very proud about representing the country and then emerging a winner in the contest.

“It was not easy. It is not a contest between two participants. One has to compete with dozens of contestants. Other participants had more exposure. It was very tough but I was confident about my prospects,” she said, adding, “I put a lot of hard work to realise my goal.”

She thanked her mother for inspiring and mentoring her.Mishra and Singh were selected to represent the country from among 1,700 participants in September.

source: The Himalayan Times,20 Dec 2012