PU achiever: Ill-health did not come in way of his education

Arjun Adyanthaya, who suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder that mainly affects the bones, has secured 78% in Commerce in II PU examination.

He is the student of St Aloysius College and has scored 73 in Computer Science, 67 in Economics, 90 in Business Studies, 83 in Accountancy.

Arjun is bed-ridden and has never walked as his bones are brittle. Through hard work and determination, he has shown that nothing can come in the way of his studies. He is the son of Bhagwan Das, an employee in a private plastic manufacturing unit and Vanitha Adyanthaya, a home maker. Vanitha, carried Arjun to school till his 8th standard.

As Arjun showed keen interest in learning, his parents made arrangement to bring him to school in a special vehicle or wheelchair. The St Aloysius School administration too extended support to them. Arjun scored 82 % in SSLC.

Looking at his interest, St Aloysius PU College offered him a seat with special arrangements, like a ramp to move in a wheel chair. Arjun wrote the exam with the help of a scribe and wants to pursue his BCom.

Toppers speak

Venkatesh Puranik, who scored 594 (99%) in Commerce is second in the stream in the state. Nisarga from Vidhyodaya PU College, Udupi, Kriti D Shetty from Poorna Prajna College, Udupi, Sathayashree from Venktramana PU College Kundapur have shared the fourth rank in Science.

Nisarga told DH that he was keen on becoming an astronomer and plans for an engineering degree in computer science from the best engineering college in the state.

He said that he had not taken any coaching, but concentrated on classroom teaching. “I was regular in my studies and avoided all social media contacts for the past one year. I would depend on it only for any study-related information,” said Nisarga.

Venkatesh Puranik from Basrur told DH that he wants to become a charted accountant and would continue his BCom education. He said, “The result is unexpected. I studied hard and expected above 590. I also depended on day-to-day learning and worked out problems and other statistics that I learnt every day in the classes.”

He credited his success to the blessings of the Lord and parents. His father Subramanya Shastri is a priest in the temple and mother is a home maker.

Sathyashree Rao from Venkataramana PU College, Kundapur, said that she studied seven hours for the exam, but had no pressure from parents. “I was also practising throw ball, my favourite game, and attend dance classes. It is important not to take pressure during exams. I would not miss sleep or study. I was expecting a little more marks, but I am happy with what I received,” she added.

She plans to study Computer Science Engineering or Electronics and Communication Engineering. Her father Nagesh Rao works as van driver in the same college.

Other toppers

Shreya Hegde of Mother Teresa PU College in Shankaranarayana in Udupi district has topped the College by securing 588 marks (98%). Her marks are Kannada-98, English-96, Maths-100, Chemistry-100, Physics-98 and Biology-96.

Nydile M N has scored 585 (97.5%) in Science while Akshatha Shetty has scored 579 marks (96.5%) in Science. Both are students of St Agnes College in Mangaluru.DH News Service