The 106th annual convocation of the University of Mysore, held on Monday, transformed into a powerful testament to determination, celebrating the remarkable achievements of students from diverse and often challenging socio-economic backgrounds. The ceremony highlighted that passion and hard work can overcome significant obstacles, with inspiring stories emerging from families of daily wage labourers to that of a state transport bus conductor.
Gold Medalists Forge Paths with Pure Passion
The convocation's standout performer was N Aditi, a recipient of the prestigious INSPIRE-DST fellowship, who secured an astounding 24 gold medals and eight cash prizes. Hailing from Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, Aditi chose the path of pure science out of love for the subject, despite having written the KCET entrance exam. She completed her BSc from Mangalore University, where she also won a gold medal, before pursuing her MSc at the University of Mysore.
"My goal is to pursue a PhD in any of the national institutes," Aditi stated. She credits her parents, Niranjan Nayak and Shubhalakshmi, both teachers, as her primary inspiration. Another high achiever, Chandrashekhara from Kanakagiri taluk in Koppal district, secured 13 gold medals and four cash prizes in Kannada. Coming from a family where his parents, Sanneppa and Shantamma, work as daily wage labourers, his academic success is monumental. He aims to clear the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to pursue a PhD, with a heartfelt goal to secure a government job to support his parents.
Triumph Over Adversity: Stories of Resilience
The convocation also shone a light on extraordinary resilience. Nisarga S Gowda, who hails from Holenarasipur in Hassan district and is visually challenged from birth, secured a gold medal in MA Kannada. A former student of Rangaro Memorial School for the Disabled and Nataraja College in Mysuru, Nisarga relied on Braille books and audio books for her studies. Demonstrating unwavering commitment, she has already embarked on her PhD journey, having started her research a month ago.
Another shining example is Harmain T, a resident of Rajakumar Road in Mysuru city, who won six gold medals and five cash prizes in BSc. Her father, Thayab Ahmad, served as a conductor in the KSRTC for 30 years, while her mother, Ruksana Tharanum, is a teacher. Driven by a clear vision, Harmain has set her sights on the civil services examination and has already begun her preparations.
A Celebration of Grit and Future Aspirations
The event underscored a unifying theme: a deep-seated love for learning and research that propelled these students to excel, irrespective of their circumstances. Their achievements are not merely personal victories but beacons of hope and inspiration for countless others from similar backgrounds.
The future paths chosen by these scholars are as diverse as their stories:
- Pursuing PhDs in national institutes and through JRF.
- Aiming for prestigious government jobs to uplift their families.
- Preparing for the rigorous civil services examination.
- Continuing academic research with advanced doctoral studies.
The 106th convocation of the University of Mysore, therefore, was more than a degree-distribution ceremony; it was a powerful narrative of how access to education, coupled with individual tenacity, can create extraordinary success stories that redefine potential and promise.
