Nothing could deter the 18 students from tier two and three cities from succeeding.

They beat 5,000 others across the State to bag the RBI State-level essay contest on 'Financial Inclusion'.  It was conducted in English and Kannada.  It was awarded in three categories - Senior, Middle and Junior groups with a cash prizes from Rs 2000 to a maximum of Rs 10,000.

Devaki Muthukrishnan, Regional Director, RBI, said 29 districts have completed the process of financial inclusion and are on course of becoming the first among the larger states in the country ito complete the process initiated by RBI. “The competition has been held to create awareness among school and college children.”

K Jairaj, Principal Secretary, RDPR, said eight lakh bank accounts were opened under the National Rural Employment Programme.

Prize winners
Chetan A Vernekar (Govt Higher Primary School, Navnagar, Hubli)
- Bhavya C (Anandashram High School, Kotekar, Dakshina Kannada)
- Dattaprasad R G (Vidya Independent PU Science College, Bidar)
- Aniketh S (United Academy, Hassan)
- Dhanya Neelakanth Nayak (Balamandir High School, Karwar)
- C M Nanjappa (Sri Venkateshwara PU College, Hassan)