The interviews and reporting for this story had been carried out in February 2025.
The current outcomes of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Foremost 2025 Session 1 arrived at a serendipitous second for Sai Manogna Guthikonda — as if the universe had rigorously deliberate this victory as the right birthday present!
This 12 months, greater than 12 lakh candidates took the examination, and 17-year-old Sai Manogna stood out as the one woman among the many 14 high scorers nationwide to realize a 100 percentile — a exceptional feat certainly.
When the outcomes had been introduced, Sai Manogna’s identify echoed with triumph throughout Andhra Pradesh, bringing not simply pleasure however a whirlwind of media consideration and invites, together with the proud second of assembly the state’s Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu.
But, when the digital camera flashes dim, it’s important to peek behind the curtains of success.
Simply a few months in the past, the younger woman sat at her examine desk, books scattered round, feeling the load of the approaching JEE Mains examinations.
Regardless of her rigorous preparation and former glorious performances in mock exams, the nervousness of expectations grew to become overwhelming. Nights spent revising formulation, intertwined with temporary moments of doubt, had turn out to be a day by day routine.
However inside the sanctuary of their residence, her mom, Padmaja Guthikonda, recognised that the strain had turn out to be insufferable for Sai Manogna. She made it her mission to show their family into an area of help and encouragement.
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“Since childhood, she all the time aimed to do her greatest, and earlier than the Foremost examination, there was a number of strain. There have been occasions when she felt pissed off as a result of all this may be very overwhelming. She is, in any case, only a youngster. When she’s burdened, her father and I inform her to seek out steadiness. We guarantee her that we received’t scold or punish her; our focus is on her efforts, and that’s what issues. Even when she didn’t get a rank, it might be completely wonderful,” Padmaja recollects in a dialog with The Higher India.
This unconditional help from her mother and father laid the muse for Sai Manogna’s resilience permitting her to navigate the high-pressure world of aggressive exams with confidence. In occasions of strain and doubt, her mom’s knowledge and nurturing care grew to become the bedrock of her triumph.
Elevating a JEE topper
As a nutritionist and administrative skilled at a backbone centre in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, Padmaja has all the time balanced her skilled commitments with parenting. She determined to prioritise her youngsters’s youth, typically even at the price of profession progress.
She displays on a time when she stepped again from extra demanding profession roles that required lengthy working hours, guaranteeing she was current throughout her youngsters’s pivotal tutorial phases, like highschool and preparation for aggressive exams.
From childhood, she inspired a disciplined atmosphere at her residence. “We didn’t permit distractions like social media. Through the teenage years, youngsters face a number of peer strain and distractions. Again when she was in Class 10, she used Instagram actively. We suggested her that it wasn’t the fitting age for social media, and now, none of us within the household have social media accounts,” Padmaja explains.
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“Throughout teenage years, daughters might even see their moms as disciplinarians and their enemy. My daughter additionally listened extra to her father and brother. Nonetheless, as soon as I ended scolding and began understanding her perspective, she understood my issues. I’ve additionally advised her she will be able to use her cellphone, however she should restrict herself, figuring out when to cease and focus again on her research,” she provides.
Swapping leisure for studying was a strategic selection absolutely supported by the household, who had been conscious of the stakes concerned within the intense competitors. Padmaja’s supportive but disciplined method, complemented by her husband’s steering, created a balanced atmosphere. “We deal with speaking with one another about our day as an alternative of spending pointless time on screens. On Sundays, she research for six to eight hours; the remainder of the day, she relaxes, watches TV, or goes outdoors,” she shares.
From being a private alarm clock to a life coach – moms do all of it
Mornings of their family had been orchestrated with precision. Padmaja would get up at 4 am, participating in meditation earlier than gently waking her daughter at 5 am. This peaceable begin was designed to channelise a way of calm earlier than a day of arduous examine, which spanned as much as 12-14 hours.
“We advised her to review but in addition to not stress — to meditate and calm down. It’s a apply that I comply with myself and have instilled in my daughter. I suggested her that if she feels burdened through the day, she ought to take a break, put her books apart, and shut her eyes for 10 minutes. It has been extraordinarily useful for her,” she provides.
Being a nutritionist, Padmaja additionally ensured her daughter adopted a nutrient-rich weight loss plan, mitigating the results of stress with wholesome consuming habits, a vital but typically missed a part of a scholar’s life-style.
Her real perception in her daughter’s expertise and character allowed Sai Manogna to thrive, reaching her tutorial targets whereas sustaining her psychological and bodily well being.
When requested whether or not she goals of her daughter making it to IITs, Padmaja has a distinct perspective. “I haven’t got any particular goals for her. I simply hope she finds fulfilment and success in no matter discipline she chooses. No matter path she decides, I simply need her to excel,” she says.
The current celebration of Sai Manogna’s victory was each momentous and modest. Though the media frenzy left little room for instant household celebrations, Padmaja recollects the immense pleasure and pleasure that stuffed their hearts when her daughter’s efforts bore fruit.
Extra than simply a person accomplishment, it was a household affair — a collective achievement made doable by unified help.
Because the household displays on their journey, Padmaja shares a common message for all mother and father: the significance of being supportive with out exerting undue strain on their youngsters.
Her phrases lengthen past JEE aspirants — they resonate with each mother or father guiding their youngster via the pressures of educational and profession decisions. “Don’t examine your youngsters with any person else. Help them and information them correctly. Allow them to excel in no matter discipline they select,” she urges.
“Once you help them, they pay attention. However should you demand or get them organized, they received’t. We’ve already navigated that stage in life. Let’s see issues from their perspective.”
All photos courtesy Padmaja Guthikonda.
