New Delhi:
It's been said that getting in to IIT is more difficult than getting in to Harvard or MIT, which makes the stories of those cracking the IIT-JEE even more remarkable.
Nitin Jain is on top of the world. Leaving almost four lakh students behind, this boy from Faridabad has topped the IIT entrance exam.
"I didn't expect to come first," an elated Nitin said.
For his family, it's a dream come true.
"He always stood first, never came second in class. We tried to get him the best coaching and good schooling," Nitin's father N P Jain said.
Nitin has been a bright student and even his coaching school gave him 90% scholarship.
"Some kids study during exams, but he use to study everyday as a routine. I am so happy, I can't describe it," said S Jain, Nitin's mother.
More than 10,000 students have cleared the entrance this year with the highest number of 2,831 coming from the Mumbai zone.
Paraarth Shah, a backbencher in his class, has topped the zone. He is fourth in the all-India ranking.
"What can I say? It's been great from there to here," he said.
Nailing the IIT entrance is job half done. But for now, it's mission accomplished for Pararth.
"Now I've all my plans fixed, like going to Goa next Monday," he said.
Toppers came from across the country -- from Haryana to Rajasthan, to Madhya Pradesh and Maharshtra. With a dream called IIT fulfilled, it's a beginning for new ones.