CANACONA
Abhida Barretto of Canacona who topped Goa at the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) with a percentile of 99.93 and an All-India Rank of 905, was felicitated by the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC).
Barretto, the daughter of entrepreneur Abel Barretto and Bena, originally hails from Muthal-Sadolxem, but her family moved to Margao and she is a student of Loyola Higher Secondary School at Margao.
“Abhida has displayed the hidden talent of Canconcars by excelling in education. This is just the beginning for Abidha and all of us in Canacona expect her to bag more laurels for the State and country in future,” said CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello.
Rebello also congratulated Abidha for choosing to pursue a career in medicine with the armed forces.
Abhida was felicitated by Rebello and Dy Chairperson Amita Pagui with a shawl, bouquet and memento, while Councillor Sarita Desai and a senior citizen Natividade De Sa also spoke highly of Abhida and the sacrifices of her family.
Councillors Ramakant Naikgaunkar, Pandurang (Dhiraj) Naikgaunkar, Narcisco Fernandes, municipal staff and Abhida's father, Abel, were also present at the function.
Expressing her gratitude on the felicitation, Abhida said this achievement is just the beginning.
“I am also proud that I belong to Canacona and am blessed to have so many well-wishers. I wish to get admission into the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune and also desire to serve in the armed forces,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Canacona Block Congress also felicitated Abhida for topping Goa at the NEET examinations.
“By securing 99.93 percentile in NEET exam at the all-India level, she topped the NEET in Goa and has brought laurels not only for her but also for our Canacona taluka,” stated GPCC General Secretary Janardhan Bhandari, at a brief function to felicitate Abhida in Canacona.
Also present on the occasion were GPCC Secretary Mahadev Desai, Mahila Congress Committee Block President Urusila Costa and other Congress office bearers.
Lauding Abhida's hard work and achievement, Bhandari said: “Abhida's success story has again underlined that Goa has abundant hidden talent but require proper guidance and exposure to prosper.”
Mahadev Dessai also wished Abhida a bright and successful future.
