City youth Anurag has brought laurels to the state by topping the Humming Bird International Olympiad from India.

The Class VI student from Gyan Niketan said: “English has become a very important subject and is spoken almost everywhere. It is essential to speak the language fluently.”

The first level of the exam was held on November 8, 2012, while the second was held on February 24, 2013. The result was declared on April 15.

The contest comprised comprehension, passages, parts of speech and others.

He said: “My father made me realise the importance of English. I started working hard from the beginning of Class VI. My teachers have also encouraged me.” His father, Anil Kumar, is a probationary officer, prisons, while Anurag’s mother is a homemaker.

The 12-year-old has a success mantra for youngsters aspiring to compete in the contest. He said: “It is important to take help from teachers and parents. In case of any confusion, we should not hesitate in asking for guidance from our elders.” Anurag aspires to be an IAS officer. He said: “I did not expect to be the national topper. I had clinched second position from the state in a math Olympiad last year.”

Nitesh Jain, the director of Humming Bird International Olympiad, told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi: “Anurag has topped from India in English in Class VI. The Olympiad was conducted in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore, Dubai, Riyadh apart from India. He competed against more than 1.5 lakh students of Class VI.”