Ahmedabad boy, who scored 99.9 percentile in Class 12, all set to become a Jain monk

Ahmedabad: He got a 99.9 percentile in Class 12 but is all set to shun it to become a Jain monk.

17-year-old Varshil Shah, who comes from a middle-class family, will take diksha (religious ceremony that marks the initiation of Jain monks and nuns) on June 8.

Hindustan Times quoted his uncle, Nayanbhai Suthari, as saying that the ceremony will be held in Gandhinagar.

“The result is as per expectations, but to attain and maintain peace, I think renouncing the world is the only way,” he said.

Varshil was among the toppers in Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, which was announced on May 27.

His family follows Jainism.

His father Jigarbhai is an income-tax official.

As per HT, Varshil's father and his mother, Amiben Shah are happy with his decision.

The couple also have a daughter Jainini.

The family is said to closely follows the Jain principle of Jivdaya (compassion for all living beings) and things like use of electricity is restricted in the Shah household.

They believe that many aquatic animals are killed in the process of power generation.

They don't have a television or a refrigerator at home and use electricity only when it is necessary, like when children are studying.