Biswabrata Goswam
Midnapore, 8 March: On a day when the world celebrates the achievements and aspirations of women, a young student from Midnapore has brought special pride to her hometown. Khushi Shikaria, a first-semester B.Com (Honours) student of Shikshayatan College,Kolkata has secured the All-India Second Rank in the Chartered Accountancy Foundation Examination, marking a rare academic milestone for the region.
The achievement, announced on the occasion of International Women’s Day, has sparked celebrations among family members and residents of Midnapore alike. According to her family, such a high national ranking in the Chartered Accountancy examination is possibly the first of its kind from the undivided Midnapore district.
Khushi cleared the CA Foundation examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in her very first attempt, a feat that places her among the country’s top-performing commerce students.
Speaking to The Statesman, Khushi attributed her success primarily to consistency and disciplined study habits.
“I believe consistency matters more than anything else,” she said. “On regular days I used to study around seven to eight hours. In the last few months before the examination, I increased my study time to about ten or eleven hours a day.”
Currently pursuing her undergraduate studies in commerce at Shikshayatan College in Kolkata, Khushi has been balancing her college coursework with the demanding CA curriculum, widely considered one of the toughest professional examinations in the country.
Her father, Sachin Shikaria visibly proud of the accomplishment, confirmed that the family had hoped for a strong result but the All-India Second Rank exceeded their expectations. “We are extremely happy and proud of her achievement. It is a moment of joy not only for our family but also for Midnapore,” he said.
The result has also drawn attention from the local community, where news of Khushi’s success spread quickly, inspiring many young students—especially girls—who aspire to pursue professional careers in finance and commerce.
For Khushi, however, the focus remains firmly on the journey ahead. With the CA Foundation cleared with distinction, she will now move to the next stages of the Chartered Accountancy programme while continuing her graduation.
Her accomplishment, coinciding with International Women’s Day, stands as a reminder that perseverance and focus can transform ambition into achievement—bringing both personal success and collective pride to one’s community, said Amaresh Kar, an Assistant Inspector of Schools, having commerce background.
