Raj, meet the true Marathi Manoos

While the MNS chief's son went to an English-medium school, this North Indian boy opted to study in a Marathi-medium school and emerged as the topper and the highest scorer in Marathi

Twelve-year-old Shubham Premchand Sharma has given the MNS a fitting reply to its tirade against north Indians. The Std VII student, whose family is originally from UP, topped his Marathi paper in the final exams, scoring a whopping 96 out of 100 his north Indian background notwithstanding.

To top that, he achieved this feat at Shivaji Vidyalaya, a Marathi medium school in Kala Chowky, where the majority of his fellow classmates are Maharashtrians.

This when Raj Thackeray, who made life hell for north Indians in the city, sent his son to an English-medium school. Ironically, his son chose to study German instead of Marathi when he entered college.

Less marks in Hindi

The results were announced four days ago and with an aggregate of 85.8 per cent, Shubham is also the overall topper for Std VII. The school has three divisions in Std VII with around 65 students in each. Incidentally, he scored 86 in Hindi.

Hopes to continue

Shubham is understandably happy with his marks, and hopes to continue his good run. "I will be happier if I am able to get good marks in the scholarship exams later this year," he said.

Shubham's father, Premchand, who is the chief reporter in a Hindi daily, was elated by the news.

"Several Maharashtrians send their students to English-medium schools, but I believe children should be taught in the local language. We speak Marathi at home despite being north Indians. We should not fight over languages. I am happy that he has scored such good marks in Marathi," said Sharma.