Thanks to Yeddyurappa, PUC Topper Gets New Lease of Life

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Bangalore, May 12: Shilpakala, a PUC topper who secured the third rank in Arts in the state, was on the verge of discontinuing her studies owing to poverty.

Despite her success in the PU exams, Shilpakala was not in a position to study further due to financial constraints, and her parents were all set to fix her marriage.

But her dream was to become an IAS officer. And that dream was about to be quashed.

But now, thanks to Prajavani Kannada daily that broke her story, chief minister Yeddyurappa who read the news has ordered Tumkur deputy commissioner to look into the matter and extend all support to help her continue her studies.

Soon after Yeddyurappa issued the order, the DC called Shilpakala and her parents to his house to convey the CM's support.

A bright ray of hope now shines over the family, and especially Shilpakala, who can now do her BA as she had planned and go on to become an IAS officer.

Background:

Shilpakala's parents had to scrape through their limited means to provide PU education to her, and further studies seemed to be an impossible dream. She will need Rs 30 a day to attend a degree college in Tumkur, apart from the fees, which the family just could not afford.

Her parents were bonded labourers till a few years ago, and now they work as coolies. Many a time, Shilpakala had to forego food and go to college hungry.

Shilpakala had to also sacrifice her amibition to pursue science stream after securing 86 percent in SSLC, as she was able to get free admission into arts and subsidy for her PU education. Also, her brother is doing a course at an industrial training institute, and it would be difficult for her parents to support both children. Shilpakala was thus told to give up her dreams and her parents got busy planning her marriage.

It was then that Prajavani highlighted her plight, and now that the chief minister himself has come forward to help her cause, hopes of becoming an IAS officer have been rekindled in Shilpakala and she is all set to pursue her BA.

Another young cattle grazer, who was not able to pursue education after SSLC was also given a helping hand by Yeddyurappa.

He told the two children through top district officials to pursue their studies as much as they wished and that their educational expenses would be borne by the government.

"Pursue studies as much as you want. We will take care of your educational expenses," he told them.

As soon as Yeddyurappa read media reports he called up the deputy commissioners of the respective districts and told them to get in touch with their families and make the offer, which was accepted by them.