Avinash Komte, a newspaper boy from Bidar, has scored 85.66 per cent marks in the commerce stream of Pre-University examinations. He has scored 94 in business studies, 92 in English, 91 in Economics, 90 in Kannada and accountancy, and 87 in statistics.
Avinash goes around on his bicycle hawking various newspapers including The Hindu to around 150 houses in Bidar new city every morning. The student of BVB College takes out four hours out of his busy work day to study. His typical day starts at 4.30 a.m. He goes around dropping newspapers at the doorsteps of his readers and goes back home to prepare for college. After college, he studies for a few hours and ends the day by 10 p.m. The Rs. 1,500 per month that he earns is spent on books and stationery and an occasional tea-biscuit with friends in the canteen.
He lives in a small house in Mailoor Road. His parents, Venkatrao and Shivamma, earn a living as labourers. His elder brothers Sangamesh and Ramesh had to drop out after school due to poverty. Avinash, however, decided to study after he cleared his SSLC in first class two years ago. He chose commerce, and does not remember missing college even for a day. He has never missed a day at work either. “Even on the day of examinations, I have delivered newspapers,” he said. He has been doing this work since he was in high school.
He said his brother Sangamesh motivated him to study. He thanks his teachers Lakshmi Patil, Jagannath and Sunil Mulge. He wants to study further and become a teacher.
