Tall tales of endurance

They endured the most trying of circumstances and withstood the severities of poverty. But they did not lose heart or give up.

That’s the story of three of the top four students who won eight gold medals each at the 47th annual convocation of Bangalore University.

The task before them was huge. Their dream was to move up the ladder of education, but supporting their families was also an equally important mission.

This is the collective story of Rukmini K K (MA-Kannada), Santhosh Kumar S (M Sc-Chemistry), and Dayanand B G (M Sc-Geology).

Rukmini’s father died when she was still a child. Her mother Kempamma faced great hardship to educate her. She worked as a labourer at Devanahalli, their native place.

Rukmini completed BA from Maharani’s Arts College, Bangalore, and MA from BU. She stayed in the hostel at the Jnanabharathi campus. When asked about the apparent lack of facilities at the hostel, Rukmini said: “I did not care how the hostel was.

My only priority was my studies.” Rukmini has already landed a job as an FDA at the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, but says she would not rest at that. “I want to be a KAS officer,” she added.

Santhosh lost his father when he was in Class 9, and his mother Soubhagya Bai, a schoolteacher, educated him. His elder brother Raghavendra Kumar also chipped in. The family hails from Ramanagar.

The story of Dayanand is not different. He hails from Belagumbe village in Magadi taluk. He studied at BU’s Jnanabharathi campus. His father, Gangadhariah, is a gate-keeper at Mohan Theatre near Sunkadakatte.

Dayanand says his father always inspired him to work harder. “I wanted to drop out and support the family. But my father never let me do that,” he said. The patience has paid off. For, Dayananda has landed a job as exploration geologist in Tanzania. Earning Rs one lakh per month would be a big boost for him.

Anusha Ramachandra Singu (B Com) also won eight gold medals.

Other medalists

Seven: Pavana M Bombhore (MSc-Physics); Six: Asha H S (MA-Sanskrit); Gargi Guha Thakurta (BEd); Sankeerthana K (BE); Five: Asra Suha (MA-English); Navya G S (MA-Economics); Viyolla Pavana Pinto (MSc-Zoology); Rhea H Desai (BSc); Krishna Bhogaraju (BE); Vinu Prasad G (BE).