CHENNAI: Rescued from near a roadside garbage bin as a newborn, Abhilash Vidyakar is now a class topper and his life story a pointer to the power of dreaming big.

The final-year BCom student , who scored a hundred in income tax law and practice in his fifth semester, received the St. Thomas College of Arts and Science’s Outstanding Performer award on Thursday.

Volunteers of NGO Udavum Karangal rescued him as an infant in Anna Nagar 18 years ago. Brought up by the organization, Abhilash knew his past but has never been bitter about his parents not wanting him.

Instead, he quietly nurtured an ambition that he’s determined to achieve: He says he’s going to be an IAS officer and serve the nation.

“Because his parents abandoned him, we named him ‘Abhilash’ [desire],” Udavum Karangal founder S Vidyakar says. “Abhilash deserves all the awards and praise he’s getting because he’s a sincere and hardworking boy.”

Abhilash, who has taken Vidyakar’s name and calls him ‘Papa’, says he’ll remain at the orphanage even if his parents were to suddenly show up and say they want to take him home.

St. Thomas College of Arts and Science dean P Jayakumar recalls Abhilash as a reserved boy as a first-year student. “Abhilash opened up in the second year. He always did well academically and deserves the Outstanding Performer award,” he says.

Abhilash says he has no regrets. “I don’t think I would have been as motivated if I was with my parents,” he says. “I plan to become a chartered accountant and then take the Union Public Service Commission examination.”

Abhilash, who first studied at a school in Thiruverkadu and then moved to KC Higher Secondary School, Vadavalli, Coimbatore, scored 68% in his Class 10 boards. He aced the Class 12 finals scoring 85%.

