Yadgir: Mason's MMBS son gets govt funds to pursue MD

Following a report in Deccan Herald in March about a mason’s son completing his MBBS, the labour department met his parents in Yadgir district to help them and their son, who wants to pursue his post graduation.

When the student, Dr Nagaraj, received his degree from the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), his parents, Dodda Hanumantha and Bhagamma, both construction labourers, had attended his graduation day celebrations.

Labour department officials recently visited the doctor’s family and granted him Rs 1 lakh and also opened a bank account in the name of Bhagamma and deposited Rs 25,000. “My parents did not have a bank account. The officials took them to the bank, opened an account and deposited the amount. The officials said that I would get financial support as long as my parents are still working as construction labourers,” said Dr Nagaraj.

Bhagamma says that she had no idea how to open a bank account. “My husband cannot write and I managed to sign my name in Hindi, so the account was opened in my name. Nagaraj wants to study further, but says it would cost a lot and our family would not be able to bear his expenses. With government’s help, I hope Nagaraj fulfils his dream,” she added.

Dr Nagaraj’s uncle Honnappa has been the main reason for him to pursue MBBS. “Nagaraj was a bright student from the beginning and that’s why I coaxed him to take up medicine. He has not received any help from the government till now. It is his parents who have toiled a lot for his education,” added Honnappa.

Pommala Sunil Kumar, the former CEO at the state labour department who initiated the help to the family said that the labour department has enough funds to help such genuine cases. It is for the department to identify such cases and help them financially. “The government is ready to take care of Dr Nagaraj’s post-graduation expenses as per government fee structure. It is very rare to find such students. After Dr Nagaraj’s case, we found another mason’s son pursuing engineering in Raichur. We need to encourage such students,” he added.