Bangalore: Despite CM's Offer to Fund Higher Studies, PU Topper Married Off
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, May 23: On May 12, Daijiworld had reported the dire situation of Shilpakala, a PU topper from a poor family whose dream of studying further had looked faint, until chief minister Yeddyurappa generously offered to fund her education.
Once the CM's offer came, everyone expected Shilpakala to continue her studies and achieve her dream of becoming an IAS officer.
But it has now been reported that instead of letting her live her dream, the girl was married off, that too to a college dropout.
Shilpakala had secured the third rank in the state in the arts stream, scoring 93.3 percent. She had been offered free admission to arts by her college and subsidy for her PU studies, which helped her bring thus far. However, after PU, the future seemed bleak and her parents were all set to get her married.
But timely help from Yeddyurappa, who directed the DC of Tumkur to fund her education, rekindled hopes and she even received Rs 10,000 from the district administration for her achievement.
"Pursue studies as much as you want. We will take care of your educational expenses," Yeddyurappa had told her.
But despite CM's efforts and the efforts of the DC to convince her parents to let her study further, she was married off to her maternal uncle's son Raghu at a ceremony on Sunday May 22 at Kolala in Tumkur.
It has now come to light that when the PU results were announced on May 11, she had already been engaged to Raghu.
The girl's father had wanted her to discontinue her studies soon after SSLC, in which she had excelled, but on the insistence of her mother she was allowed to finish her PU. Moreover, she is now 18, and eligible for marriage.
The deputy commissioner informed that a report on the matter would be sent to the chief minister, but as the girl is already married, there are little hopes of any reversion to studies, except if her in-laws agree.
Shilpakala's story is perhaps one among the many that occur everyday in rural India. It is disheartening to see that even when help and opportunities are offered, they are rejected when it comes to girls' education. Shilpakala's brother is pursuing a course at an industrial training institute.