Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Puttur, Mar 19: A girl who could not afford to buy a mobile phone during the COVID-19 pandemic to attend online classes has overcome all her difficulties and emerged as an achiever. She secured the first rank in master of sociology along with six gold medals and two cash prizes at the 104th convocation of Mysore University held on March 3.
Smita, who completed her degree at Mangalore University with the second rank, has made her parents and college proud by securing the first rank in postgraduate studies at Mysore University.
Smita hails from Bedrodi in Uppinangady taluk, Puttur. Her family faces extreme financial hardship, with her mother Vimala rolling beedis and father Bharat working as a daily wage labourer. Her brother Kartik is studying in second PU. Smita completed her degree from the government college of Uppinangady in 2021 and her MSW from Mysore University in 2023.
She dedicated her success to her parents, friends, and lecturers. She especially thanked Nandish Y D, a lecturer of the social work section at Mysore University, and Nandish, a lecturer at the government first-grade college in Uppinangady. She mentioned that these lecturers helped her in obtaining scholarships, without which she might have had to stop her education at the undergraduate level. They encouraged Smita, emphasizing that education is not only about obtaining marks but also about gaining knowledge and applying it to life. Smita stated that she followed the advice of both her lecturers.
Currently, Smita works as an assistant researcher at the Premji Foundation and is posted in Kalaburagi. Nandish of the government first-grade college in Uppinangady described Smita as a brilliant student who excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when classes shifted online, Smita could not afford a smartphone due to her family's financial situation. However, the college staff arranged one for her through donors. Her dedication and hard work despite abject poverty serve as an inspiration to everyone. Smita's parents wanted her to engage in daily wage work, but Nandish intervened, urging her to continue her postgraduate studies.
Nandish also tried to help Smita through an overseas fellowship programme. Thanks to his efforts, Smita received $50 every month as a sponsorship fee, which was later increased to $100 during her post-graduation. She received financial assistance based on her academic achievements.
Vimala, Smita's mother, once remarked with Nandish, "Can I ask her to take some rest? She always reads books day and night." According to Nandish, Smita was dedicated to her studies to such an extent.