Chief minister Nitish Kumar presents Bihar School Examination Board topper Shalini Yadav a laptop as human resource development minister PK Shahi looks on at the girl’s home in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, May 29: Ghanshayam Balika Uchch Vidyalaya student Shalini Yadav had never dreamt that her favourite political leader Nitish Kumar would ever visit her home.

But her dream came true today. The chief minister visited her Phulwarisharif home to present her a laptop and a cheque of Rs 15,000, as she has topped the Bihar School Examination Board Class X exam this year.

Before meeting her dream leader, the excited teenager told The Telegraph: “I do not have words to express my feelings. I have always seen him on news channels and newspapers. I always used to wonder what he looks like and wanted to touch his feet. All my wishes will come true today. I have also decided to take his autograph.”

On being asked how it felt to be a topper, she said: “I knew I would get good marks but never thought I would top the examination. I could not believe my eyes when I saw my name on TV that day. But I am very happy that my hard work has finally paid off.”

Around 11.30am, Nitish entered her house and Shalini touched the feet of the chief minister to seek his blessings.

Nitish said: “Khoob pado, aur aage jao (study hard and keep going ahead). This is not the end of the success, there is a long way to go and you have to work hard and struggle to reach your goal.”

Human resource development minister P.K. Shahi, the department’s principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh, MLC Sanjay Singh and the chief minister’s secretary S. Siddharth accompanied Nitish.

After presenting her the awards, Nitish said: “Keep up the hard work so that you can make the state and the country proud of your success. You will also be awarded Rs 25,000 on Maulana Azad’s birth anniversary, which is celebrated as Education Day.” The chief minister also gave Shalini a data card to access the Internet from her laptop.

Shalini’s father Ram Singar Yadav, a teacher in Railway High School in Khagaul, said: “Who says girls are a curse in the present society? Look at my daughter. Today, she has made me feel so proud.”

Shalini’s mother Pushpa Yadav said: “All of my relatives are calling and asking me about my daughter.”

On being asked what she wanted to be in the future, Shalini said she wants to be a doctor and work for the betterment of the society.