The National Indoor Stadium in Mirpur buzzing with smart O- and A-level students and their proud parents yesterday. Photo: Star

The brightest among the bright were the stars of the day at The Daily Star award ceremony for O-level and A-level students yesterday.
They were the 64 students who had topped score charts globally, seven who got the most number of A's in the country, and the 98 who secured the highest scores in the nation.
Talking to The Daily Star, the students revealed their hopes and aspirations at the National Indoor Stadium in Mirpur.
Holding the awards in their hands, they dreamt of joining mankind's pursuit of knowledge, solving the mysteries of the natural and the universe, and humbly living their lives to serve others.

O-level students Eshika Ahmed and Aungshula Chowdhury had taken up the challenge of sitting for 11 subjects each. They got nine and 10 A*'s (A stars) respectively. They want to be particle physicists.
“There is so much more to discover here. There are so many mysteries to solve … the thought of devoting my career to gather further knowledge excites me,” said Eshika, a student of South Breeze.
Aungshula, from Little Jewels, went on to say, “I am like a sponge, I like learning from everything around me.”
Maisha Rumelia Rahman, who got the highest mark in the country in Physics in O levels, hopes to delve into quantum physics.
“I think the discovery of the God particle or Higg's Boson in 2012 makes our time one of the most exciting. I want to research in the mystery of the Big Bang and learn more about this world,” said the student from Sunbeams.
Aninda Nabil Huq, who achieved the world highest marks in mathematics in O levels, has a keen interest in the automobile industry. “South Asia is trying its hand at manufacturing automobiles … we have a long way to go. It would be exciting to join this process,” he said.
Unlike them, Musharrat Rabbani dreams of serving humanity in a traditional manner. Having scored the world highest marks in economics, the student of Sunnydale wants to be a government doctor.
“My mother is one. My sister is one too -- in fact right now she is posted in Chouddagram upazila of Comilla. Looking at them made me realise the joy of serving and helping people. My mother is a paediatrician and I hope to be one as well,” said Musharrat.  
Sunbeams' Raeesa Mehjabeen, the highest A-level scorer in accounting in the world, dreams of being a rights activist and “to bring about change”.
For Shamapto Guha Anthon of Willes Little Flower School and College, achieving the world highest in mathematics at O levels in May-June 2013 came as a surprise. "I hate maths," said the jubilant young man who wants to pursue a career in medical biology and considers mathematics to be easy.
Another high scorer in mathematics, Ragib Mostafa, who also earned 11 A*'s in one sitting at O levels, wants to become an engineer like his father and uncle.
Unlike many others, Ragib from International Turkish Hope said he went to coaching centres only to sit for mock exams. "If you feel free to talk to your teachers at school, share your problems, you do not need to run to coaching centres and private tutors."
Vice-President Kemal Yavuz of his school said, "In Bangladesh there is a perception among students that they have to go for private coaching. We discourage them." Private coaching confuses students because they learn the same thing in two different ways, he added.
According to Anshah Anju Khan Chowdhury, who earned six A's with three A*'s in one sitting from Mastermind school in the June 2012-June 2013 academic year, the key to good results does not lie in studying the whole day.
"When I study, I switch off my mobile phone, close the door of my room and fully concentrate on my studies," said Anshah, who is also a debater, a black-belt holder in taekwondo and an amateur singer.
Inspired by his mother and grandmother, Anshah, who is also involved in social work, wants to become an entrepreneur so that she can help the poor. Currently studying business at the Institute of Business Administration, the young dreamer hopes to acquire her MBA from Harvard.
Mastermind and Maple Leaf School had the most high-scorers this year.
Nasima Khan, A-level coordinator of Mastermind, said the school lays emphasis on discipline to ensure that a student grows up to be a good person.
Nasreen Rahman, founder principal of Loreeto School, from where Anika Tarannum Alam earned the world's highest marks in additional mathematics in O level Cambridge examination in June 2013, also recognised discipline as an important factor in the lessons imparted by the schools.
Appreciating The Daily Star's effort for the last 15 years to recognise students of English medium schools who excel in their studies, she said a school should not run after money. It should rather teach students to be good human beings.
Waiting outside the stadium for her son, mother Alo Saha smiled when The Daily Star correspondent asked her how she felt about his achievement.
The proud mother of Romit Kumar, who got four A*'s in his A levels, said, “It was very difficult for us to pay for English medium education. But we did it just to see a day like this when our son achieved so much.”
SM Golam Rabbani, a businessman, while taking pictures of his son Musabbir Rabbani with an award in his hand, told The Daily Star, “It is very difficult to bring up a son in this challenging society. Yet see how much he has achieved!”