For two hours every day, Manjunath, a craftsmen’s son, would help his father make dolls, which they would sell to eke out a living. It was only after the dolls were made that he could catch up on his studies. On Monday, the Commerce student from Government PU college, Yelahanka, learned that he had scored 97% in his II PU examination.
For students like him, who had to work in factories or help their families in farms, success has never been sweeter.
Keerthi Kumar from SRS Government PU College, Peenya, worked part-time at a machinery factory to fund his education and has scored 86% in Commerce.
“After college, I would head to the factory to cut the metals before welding them. I worked from 2 to 6 p.m., after which I would make time to study till midnight. My father works as a watchman, and his income was not enough to fund my education,” said Mr. Keerthi, who has been dreaming of becoming an IAS officer since the third grade. “I want to get a B.Com degree and attempt the UPSC if I can afford it.”
Another story of grit and determination is that of Bhumika S. Doddadyavannanavar, daughter of a factory worker who earns ₹2 per piece of thread sold .
She scored 548 out of 600 in Commerce, having studied at Government PU College in Malleswaram.
‘Daily wagers’
“My parents are daily wagers. Despite this, I was never asked to help them with their work and I was allowed to concentrate solely on my studies. My father, especially, has been extremely supportive. He never let money be a hindrance to my education,” says Bhumika who hopes to pursue medicine.
