Mangalore: Koraga Community Gets First-ever PhD Holder
 
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, May 4: The Koraga community got its first-ever PhD holder in Babu, a postgraduate in chemistry from Mangalore University, who completed his doctorate under the guidance of Dr Balakrishna Kalluraya, professor of chemistry at Mangalore University.

Babu hails from Kalmanja village of Beltangady.

The Koraga community, which is one of the most backward communities in society, is ridden with much socio-economical problems, and acquiring even primary education is not an easy task. Given the backwardness of this community, it is commendable that Babu could reach this level. In fact, he is also the only postgraduate from the Koraga community.
 
In undivided Dakshina Kannada district, the Koraga people are identified as one of the scheduled tribes. They have remained underprivileged and have been ignored by the mainstream.
 
The cynosure of all eyes now, Babu was conferred with the doctorate at the 29th convocation of Mangalore University held recently. He successfully defended his thesis entitled 'Synthetic and Biological Studies on Nitrogen, Sulphur and Oxygen Containing Heterocyclic Compound' to earn the doctorate.
 
Babu, who registered his name for research in the month of October 2003 as under the guidance of Prof Balakrishna Kalluraya succeeded in completing his research on time. Babu did his primary education in Kombinadka in Siddabailu of Kalmanja, later continued his high school education in Mundaje government high school and passed SSLC with first class. He finished his PU education in Ujire SDM College with first class marks. He did his BSc from city's Canara College with high second class. In 1999-2000 he passed MSc in applied chemistry (Mangalore University) with first class marks.

Babu is the seventh among the nine children born to Matthadi and Chomu in Kalmanja. The family was poor and had to counter the evil of untouchability. None of Babu's four sisters went to school, and only Babu could continue his education. He worked as a coolie during holidays and kept alive his ambition towards achieving success through education.
 
He has served as an invigilator (valuation dept) in Mangalore University for about one and half years. Later, he joined as a chemistry lecturer in MGM College. Due to the wholehearted support from his guide, Babu could finish his research work in six years. Babu humbly says that the help extended by his well-wishers motivated him to continue his studies.
 
His next aim is to be a UGC-level professor. Speaking on the issue of caste he says caste never was a hurdle for him so far, and he is determined not to let it become so in the future too.