Poverty no bar for education

Group D employees son flies abroad for higher studies

Srinivas completed a certificate course in milling technology from CFTRI four years ago. His good academic performance helped him secure a job in Kozhikode.

He later moved to Vijayawada. His job took him abroad for a brief period of eight months and ultimately he joined a factory in Mysore. However, all the while he nourished a dream - to hone his skills in the subject abroad. He hesitantly conveyed his intention to his father, given the cost involved.

“He is the brilliant among my four children. I was determined to surpass the financial constraint taking the risk of raising a loan,” a beaming Papanna told Deccan Herald.

Being a bibliophile, Srinivas, 34, had a hunger for knowledge and Papanna only fostered it with all his mite. Muniyamma, the mother of Srinivas, is a civic worker at Mysore City Corporation.

Rare fete

Sourav Kumar, a scientist in Milling Technology in CFTRI who taught Srinivas termed the latter’s achievement, a rare fete, given the demand for milling technology.

Papanna humbly recalls the gesture of MLA H S Shankarlinge Gowda and the latter’s  Councillor son Nandish Preetham.

Financial aid

Gowda apprised none other than Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa during his visit to Talkad during Panchalinga Darshana in November 2009. “The Chief Minister was all praise for Srinivas and instructed Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare to take measures to extend financial assistance,” recalled Papanna.

Following a letter from the Department, The Mysore City Corporation recently resolved to provide financial assistance of Rs one lakh to Srinivas after obtaining concurrence by the government.

Papanna showed a document detailing the total expenses the course - Rs 7.39 lakh as fees and Rs 4.6 lakh as living cost. However, there is a provision to pay fee in three installments. Srinivas flew to Switzerland with the first installment as Papanna pooled the balance money by raising a loan. “Papanna and his wife love to take risk for their son’s cause They are in debt for decades,” said Hegde, a friend of Papanna.

Needless to say, the father-son duo have scaled insurmountable obstacles with their grit and determination. A lesson worth emulating.