by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, May 13: In a model humanitarian gesture, deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa, whose heart melted in response to an appeal by a talented deaf girl belonging to a poor family, adopted her for providing education.

Kavita, daughter of autorickshaw driver Shivanne Gowda of Nagamangala in Mandya District, is the fortunate beneficiary of the deputy CM's kind gesture.

The incident

The deputy chief minister had come here to inaugurate the airconditioned and sound proof laboratory of Rotary Club of Mysore West Parents Trust for Deaf Children in the city. He was spellbound on hearing the rendition of prayer by the deaf children and the speeches made on the occasion.

Opportunity was given to Kavita, a student of Rotary Club of Mysore West School to express her views on the occasion.

Kavitaspeak

Kavita narrated her plight at the Rotary West School ceremony, where Yediyurappa was the chief guest.

"I am the daughter of Shivanne Gowda of Nagamangala. I am hearing-impaired from young age. My mother admitted me in Rotary Mysore West School when I was four years of age. She was illiterate. She was taught to read and write by the Deaf Parents Trust and Rotary West School. Now I am studying in 9th standard in Rotary Mysore West School. I have been taught English. The School has taken the responsibility for my education. Facilities for studying in Rotary Mysore West School at present are upto SSLC. I aspire to go to college. But, my parents don't have the wherewithal to send me to college. If someone here supports me financially, I can study in college", Kavita said struggling for words, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Overcome by Kavita's heart-touching narration, deputy chief minister Yediyurappa, visibly emotional, announced that he would bear all the expenses of her education to the last. He also called her to the dais, placed a shawl around her, patted her on her back and also presented her with Rs 500.

Encouraged by the gesture of the deputy chief minister, ex-President of the Trust Nagaraj also announced that he too would meet the educational expenditure of one student of the Institution. He also announced that every member of the Rotary Club of Mysore West would meet the educational expenditure of one student of the Institution each.

Second case

Yesterday's act of the deputy chief minister accepting the responsibility for educating a student from a poor family is learnt to be the second instance.

Veerappan had attacked and killed five residents of Punajanur in Chamarajanagar District in 1993. Yediyurappa, who was leader of the Opposition then, had visited the village. Having turned emotional after seeing a boy who was orphaned as his parents were killed by Veerappan, Yediyurappa adopted him and had taken him along with him. The boy, a young man now, stays with Yediyurappa at his residence and is studying in a college.