The aspirants seeking admission into engineering and medical colleges across the state took the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) on May 5, 2016. The exam was held in two slots – the first one comprising Physics and Chemistry paper took place from 10 am to 11.30 am and the second one for Mathematics from 3 pm to 4.30 p.m. Team PaGaLGuY visited some of the exam centres across the city. A brief snapshot of the myriad moods and moments, confusion and chaos, tension and some last minute preparations of the students and the excitement, anxiousness and stress of their parents as they waited for hours in the sweltering heat.
One down, one more to go: After attempting the first paper – Physics and Chemistry – students sat outside the examination centre discussing the paper in detail. Those who didn’t have to appear for Biology paper used the two hours’ break to revise for next paper, Mathematics, which was to be held at 3 pm. We spotted a group of three boys who were busy deliberating on a problem in integration. “He has some doubts, so he has called up one of our professors for help,” said Kartik K (green t-shirt).
Food for thought:
Between the two slots, students were seen gorging on food; some had carried home-cooked food in lunch boxes while others . A lucky few had a generous helping from their friend’s tiffin. ”My mother had to rush for work so she didn’t have time to pack my tiffin in the morning. My friend Anushree’s mom had packed some idlis for me, so I am having those for lunch,” said Deepti Nagpal (striped t-shirt).
Dad’s the way: Deepak Mishra (check shirt) took the day off to be with his daughter as she appeared for her MHT-CET. “I have been involved with her preparation, and want to make sure she gets into a good engineering college in Mumbai itself.” He is seen here helping her with last-minute revision. A curious onlooker was left wondering to see the father-daughter duo.
Mother’s pride: Kamla Ahire, who accompanied her son, said, “I don’t understand one bit of what my son is studying, but I am really happy to see his efforts.” Kamla couldn’t pursue study beyond Class 6 in school, but she didn’t leave any stone unturned to help her son aim for a seat in an engineering college. “She has been my biggest support. I hope to make her proud. Someday, I will,” said Vinay .