Emotions ran high when Pundalik Hanvar, a gold medallist in mechanical engineering from R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru, spoke about how he struggled against the odds to become successful in life, at an award distribution ceremony here on Friday.
Mr. Pundalik was honoured with the ‘Pratibha Puraskar’ here.
As Principal District and Session Judge P. Krishna Bhat observed his career could have ended where it had just begun to take a promising shape. Mr. Pundalik, a native of Mudgalgi in Gokak taluk, was in a financial crisis a few years ago. His parents had passed away and there was no one to take care of his educational needs although he had secured 90 per cent marks in the SSLC examination.
His hopes of pursuing higher studies were rekindled when he learnt about government hostels run by the Department of Backward Classes and Minorities. Mr. Pundalik decided to join polytechnic he got an admission there. Being a meritorious student, he had no difficulty in getting the admission.
He appeared in the Common Entrance Test in 2012 and passed out with first rank. He joined RVCE, Bengaluru, through lateral entry and was a topper in all six semesters.
