Hailing from a poor family, Vijayakumar Shivanand Manur sells ice cream to meet the ends. But poverty didn’t deter him to score 597 out of 625 in the SSLC examination. He has stood third in the district in terms of marks.

Sumangala, the mother of Vijayakumar ekes livelihood as a labourer. There was no time for her to rejoice her son’s exemplary performance. She went to her work as usual for any break would jeopardise her daily earnings and thereby square meals a day.

Vijay has secured 122 marks in Kannada, 93 in English, 97 in Mathematics, 96 in Hindi, 91 in Science and 98 in Social Science. An unassuming Vijay recalls the help by the teaching faculty of his school - New Secondary School - in the town.

Vijay attributed his success to the assistance and motivation by his teachers. While English teacher Mahantesh Adigonda chipped in for Vijay’s tuitions, headmaster Shivananda Sindhagi, teachers S B Havinal, Bhuyyar, S H Biradar, S H Hosamani, Gudadinni, Mulavaada and staff Donura and Hebbala did their bit to further the education of this talented boy.