For Bangalore University toppers, humble beginnings are no stumbling block

Bengaluru: Her father sells wristwatches on the road in Jalahalli, while her mother makes chapatis at an eatery, but her humble background did not stop Prema S from pursuing glory.

On Wednesday, Prema S will receive not just her MA (Kannada) degree at the Bangalore University’s 60th annual convocation ceremony, but also take home a whopping 11 gold medals – the most by a student.

A student at the Centre for Kannada Studies at the varsity’s Jnana Bharati campus, Prema nursed her passion for Kannada right from childhood.

“My entire education was in Kannada-medium. I have a special love for Kannada language and literature. I cultivated the habit of reading Kannada books from my schooldays,” said Prema, explaining her decision to pursue a master’s degree in Kannada.

Having set her sights on a career in teaching, Prema is currently pursuing a BEd course. An elated Prema told DH, “When I learnt I had won 11 gold medals, it came as a surprise. I can’t express my happiness. I want to achieve more in life. Alongside teaching, I want to prepare for competitive examinations.”

Divya S, who has bagged six gold medals and four cash prizes, too has an inspiring story. Her parents, who migrated to Bengaluru from Tamil Nadu 20 years ago, sell home-made papad.

Her family’s financial condition compelled Divya, a BCom graduate, to put her dream of earning an MBA on hold. Having secured a job at a private firm, Divya hopes to save enough money to enrol in an MBA course next year.

Divya.

BE (Civil Engineering) student Hemanth A S, who has emerged as the most decorated undergraduate student with seven gold medals and three cash prizes, too hails from a family of modest means. While his father drives an auto, his mother is a homemaker.

After completing his diploma, Hemanth secured a seat in engineering through lateral entry, and set about scripting a success story.

Hemanth A S. 

Six of the seven gold medallists in the postgraduate category are girls. Similarly, three of the four toppers in the undergraduate category are girls. With seven gold medals, Rufiya K M (Department of Physics), and Vidhyashree B S (Department of Chemistry) have slotted in second on the list of toppers in the undergraduate category. While Gowthami B M (Department of Zoology) and Likitha Kumari (Department of Mathematics) have bagged six medals each, Vikas M (Department of Economics) and Harshitha N (Department of History) have each won five gold medals.

Sahana Jadav T, a BBA student at RNS First-Grade College, has won five gold medals, as has Rajath M, a mechanical engineering student at UVCE.

Former director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory Prahlada Rama Rao will deliver the convocation address, while Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Minister for Higher Education Dr M C Sudhakar will be among those attending the ceremony.