A property dispute not only cut short his education but also landed this youth in jail after it turned fatal. However, his perseverance in pursuing his studies yielded fruits on Friday, as Sudhakar Rama Poojary (29) received a certificate for having completed Bachelor of Arts from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Hailing from Brahmavar in Udupi district, Sudhakar Poojary was convicted for murder by a trial court in Mangalore in 2001 and sentenced to life imprisonment. This was subsequently upheld by the High Court of Karnataka. On Friday, his name found repeated mention and appreciation during the 26 convocation of the university.
“Sudhakar Poojary wanted to continue his education albeit from prison and approached the university. He was shifted from Dharwad Central Prison to Bangalore Central Prison to facilitate his studies,” P.M. Soujanya, Assistant Regional Director, told reporters on the sidelines of the convocation.
Ms. Soujanya would often visit prison to help him in his studies. Now, he works in the printing division of the jail, earning money, and also helps inmates who are pursuing courses from the Karnataka State Open University.
Sudhakar Poojary told reporters. “I started the course with Bachelors Preparatory Programme in 2004 and then completed the graduation in 2011.” Sudhakr Poojary has also taken up a master’s course in public administration. In all, 1,938 students from Bangalore Regional Centre became eligible to receive certificates during the convocation where Vice-chancellor of National Law School of India University R. Venkata Rao delivered the regional convocation address.
According to IGNOU Regional Director M.S. Parthasarathy, the Bangalore Regional Centre will start offering certificate course in AYUSH Nursing (Ayurveda) and masters course in Anthropology from July 2013 session.
Medal winners
The gold medallists at the 26 convocation are Vaidehi Sharan Paliya in M.Sc in Physics (of Integrated M.Sc, Ph.D. in Physics and Astrophysics); Simi Kurian for MA in English; Sonia Rathi for MA in Hindi; Christabel Nancy A. for MA in History; and Harish Singh Bisht for Diploma in Electrical an Mechanical Engineering.
B. Fouzia Taranum (PG Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development); E.N. Swamynathan (Advanced Diploma in Computer Integrated Manufacturing); P.K. Srinivasa Gopala (Diploma in Creative Writing in English) and S. Ramesh (Diploma in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) received gold medals under the 25 convocation.
