Delhi Public School student Ayushi Gupta (centre) at the news meet in Patna on Friday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

It was the simplicity of Madam President that fascinated Ayushi Gupta the most.

Gupta, a Class XI student of Delhi Public School, Patna, was one among those fortunate ones, who got the opportunity to meet the President of India, Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhawan, on June 27.

Gupta was the only one from Bihar who met India’s first citizen. Around 60 students from across the country met her this year. Gupta got the chance to meet the President after clearing the SIP Abacus, grandmaster-level.

SIP (Sociable Intellectual Progressive) Abacus is a three-year course. It is a skill-based programme aimed at improving the calculative, mathematical, linguistic skills of a child. The grandmaster-level is the highest degree in Abacus, which is being conferred only on children training in SIP Academy.

At a news meet in a city hotel on Friday, Gupta said: “The President of India very calm and quiet. Her simplicity is something which all of us should learn.” Gupta liked the way the food was served. She said: “The food ranged from patties to pastries with music playing in the background. We were there at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for around three hours. It was not possible to see the 340-acre area in such a short duration but we enjoyed a lot.”

She added that they visited the Durbar Hall. They also got the opportunity to visit the museum at Rashtrapati Bhawan. “Gifts received by presidents are showcased there,” she said. Gupta said she would remember the trip always.

The mother of the 16-year-old, Hema Gupta, and her family members also attended the press meet. Hema said: “Every child has some talent and it should be showcased. We should give our children the proper platform so that they could hone their skills. My daughter is my pride.”

Gupta’s teachers at SIP Academy Sudha Jhujhunwala and Ritu Kochar, the state head of Abacus & Brain Gym, Lalit Kishore Jhujhunwala, were also present at the event.

Ritu Kochar said: “She is a very intelligent and hard-working child. She used to stay back till she was completely sure of the classes. She has made us proud.” Arpana Jain, who is also associated with SIP Abacus, said: “Ayushi has set an inspiration for other children.”

Sudha Jhujhunwala said the girl is intelligent and in no time she cleared the grandmaster-level. “It was a good experience to have her as a student,” she said.