Bangalore University convocation: Rural students bag multiple gold medals

A total of 55,780 students graduated at the 53rd convocation of Bangalore University.  

Around 112 gold medals were given at the ceremony held in the Jnana Jyothi auditorium at the Central College campus, besides awards for 79 first-rank holders and cash prizes for 268.  

N L Dhanush of Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies completed his Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) with four medals, a rather surprising turnaround for someone who had cleared his PU second year in his fourth attempt.

"My father is a farmer in Dodda Nagara in Sakleshpur. I failed my PU exam in 2012, scoring zero marks. I then cleared my exams the fourth time with 52% marks," he said.

Now, Dhanush plans to sign up for a course in automotive software application in Germany.

Prerana Bajaj from Dayanand Sagar College of Science, Arts and Commerce was thrilled to receive her MBA degree as the topper with three gold medals and two cash prizes.

"Hailing from a village in Kalaburagi, I've learnt many things during my education here," Prerana said. "I've improved in many areas (besides education) such as communication,   and have done a bit of theater as well."

Prerana likes to further her higher education with a goal of entering one of the Indian Institutes of Management as a PhD scholar.

Nagashetty, a 37-year-old visually impaired lecturer at JC Nagar Government Junior College, could not find the materials for his research in Braille. But he received his PhD in Kannada on 'Kuvempu Kavyagalalli Antaradrishti' with the help of audio materials and family members who read his books out loud.

"I always loved Kuvempu's songs and tried taking a peak into his mind and thought process. I was also curious how his words touched a chord in people," said the lecturer,   who hails from Chincholi taluk in Kalaburagi.

Former ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar, who presented the degrees, urged students to update their knowledge regularly for career advancement and overall development.

Citing ISRO's example, he said team spirit is important to succeed along with individual efforts.