T S Sreenivasa Raghavan for Times News Network

Chennai, Jun 2: Vidhya Rani fulfilled her father’s wish when she passed Class X with high second class in the Tamil Nadu SSLC examinations. Rani, the eldest daughter of brigand Veerappan, is the first person in her family to pass Class X.

After the results were declared on Wednesday, Vidhya Rani headed for the Bannari Amman temple, about 80 km from Coimbatore, which Veerappan used to visit in disguise when he was alive.

"This is our family temple. My father had a special bond with the deity here. Bannari Amman has fulfilled my father's wish. I'm the first in my family to complete Class X," she said.

Vidhya Rani scored 649 out of 1,100, missing the First Class by just 11 marks. "I could've scored better, but the circumstances were hostile. Still, I’m happy with the marks I got," she said. She had neither attended tuition classes nor had a proper guide.

It was difficult for Vidhya Rani, who had to change schools frequently, to concentrate on studies. A state-level sprinter, Vidhya Rani competed in the 2002 State Junior Athletic Meet and won a gold in the 100 metres event.
"From now on, I will be concentrating more on sports."