Kozhikode:  10th grade student Devika, who has no arms, achieved A plus in all the 10 subjects in the SSLC exams conducted this year. She is a student of Chandran Brothers Higher Secondary School in Kozhikode

Sajiv and Sujatha, parents of Devika, taught their daughter to write using her feet. Devika who was born armless never let the fact come in her way and excelled in her studies with the motivation of her parents and help of classmates and teachers. Sajiv is a senior civil police officer at Thenjipalam Police Station. Sajitha is a homemaker. Devika has a brother, Gautham, a class four student.

Though Devika had the opportunity to use a scribe to write her exams, she refused to take it up and wrote all her exams using her feet.  Devika, in one sitting, also used the extra time allotted to complete two papers during one of the examinations.

Devika is not only proficient in academics but also possesses the talent of drawing. Her drawings have been exhibited at the Kozhikode Swapnachitra Art Gallery for differently-abled.

Devika has also been awarded the best cadet in Junior Red Cross. She plans to choose Humanities as a subject for her higher studies and hopes to become a civil service officer. Devika's attitude serves as an inspiration to many children who believe disabilities don’t permit them to succeed.

The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) announced the Kerala Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) 2019 Class 10 results on May 6.  The state secured an impressive pass percentage of 98.11%.