Adrija Gaan has already won the toughest battle of her life by defeating cancer. Now, the courageous teenager from West Bengal has added another remarkable achievement to her inspiring journey by securing a place in the Higher Secondary merit list. After enduring 82 chemotherapy sessions and fighting T-cell lymphoma for nearly four years, Adrija has emerged as one of the state’s top performers in the WB HS Examination 2026.
The young student, who studied in the Arts stream at Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls’ School, secured the tenth position in the state merit rankings with 487 marks. Her name appears alongside 12 other students who shared the same rank.
Adrija had earlier featured in the merit list during the first phase of the semester examination as well, where she had secured the ninth rank. Although her rank slipped slightly this time, her percentage improved — making her success even more special considering the personal battles she has fought over the years.
After 82 Chemotherapy Sessions, Cancer Survivor Adrija Secures Place in WB HS Merit List
Her academic subjects included Geography, Economics, Computer Applications and Psychology — a field she now hopes to pursue professionally in the future.
Adrija’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Soon after completing her Class VI annual examinations, doctors diagnosed her with T-cell lymphoma, a serious form of cancer. What followed was a physically and emotionally exhausting phase involving continuous treatment, hospital visits and chemotherapy.
Over the next four years, Adrija underwent 82 chemotherapy sessions while fighting to reclaim a normal life. Her family stood beside her throughout the painful treatment process, even as the emotional toll deeply affected everyone around her.
Her father, Joymangal Gaan, a Political Science teacher at Taki House Government Sponsored Multipurpose Boys’ School, found himself overwhelmed while trying to manage both his daughter’s illness and his ailing mother, who reportedly fell seriously ill after learning about Adrija’s condition.
During that difficult period, Adrija’s mother Jyoti Gaan took charge of the family’s battle. A teacher at Belgharia Boys’ School, she travelled repeatedly to Mumbai with her daughter for treatment and became Adrija’s strongest support system throughout the recovery process.
Teachers, school authorities and mentors from both mother and daughter’s schools also played a major role in helping Adrija stay mentally strong. Alongside medical treatment and therapy, emotional support from teachers and spiritual guidance from the school environment helped her gradually recover.
In 2021, Adrija was finally declared cancer-free. However, she still undergoes annual medical check-ups in Mumbai to monitor her health condition.
The young achiever now dreams of studying Clinical Psychology, inspired by her own emotional journey during treatment. She hopes to pursue graduation from Bethune College and is also open to studying abroad in the future if necessary.
According to Adrija, understanding human behaviour and helping people through mental struggles has become deeply meaningful to her after everything she has experienced.
Her story has now become a powerful symbol of resilience, determination and hope — proving that even after life’s darkest battles, success is possible with courage, support and unwavering willpower.
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