Udupi: Shirva Girl Ancy Saldanha Wins 8 years Free Study in USA
By Viju Mangalore - Daijiworld.com Mangalore
Udupi, Sep 2: Two essays to free medicine studies in America! That’s a treasure-trove for a 16-year-old of a remote village of Udupi district.
But Ancy Priya Saldanha has won this gold mine and has brought pride to this village. An II year student of St Mary’s Junior College, Shirva vivacious Ancy participated in the national-level essay contest organized by World-wide Students Scholarship Association, Bangalore on November 18, 2005. The topics were ‘As a girl how should I face the world’ and ‘Should boys and girls have equal right in society?’
Ancy expected a consolation prize, but an unbelievable news reached her. Among 4,600 students who participated in the contest from allover India, Ancy had won the second prize.
Apart from a certificate and Rs 2,000 cash prize, Ancy has won the coveted prize of free stay and medical education in any of the American universities in New York or Florida.
“The news reached me on Dec 27 and I could hardly believe it. However my father who is in Muscat believed it only recently after he saw my photograph in a newspaper,” said Ancy speaking to Daijiworld.
Even the president of India, Dr A P J Kalam had personally spoken to Ancy over phone congratulating her for winning the scholarship. He even gave a personal invitation to the visit Delhi where the award winners will be honoured in 2007.
Ancy is the daughter of Alphonso and Precilla Saldanha.
Out of the six countries, Ancy opted to study in USA. On completion of her PU course, Ancy plans to visit US and complete her eight years of medicine. Ancy’s parents will be visiting US too. However every December, Ancy will be permitted to visit home.
The agency also offered her Rs 25,000 towards her II year PU studies.
In addition to this Ancy won the first place in the essay competition organised by Holy Cross Hospital, Chennai. Her essay on ‘Marriages in present society’ was selected best among 900 entries. Ancy won a cash prize of Rs 30,000.
A compilation of her award-winning essays will be released during the Monti Fest celebrations held in the Shirva Church.
Ancy is firm on what she will do with her medicine. “I want to return to India and serve its people,” said Ancy adding that the president had requested her to do so.
A singer and an active participant in various extra curricular activities, Ancy is also good comperer for social functions.
The catholic Sabha of Shirva Varado honoured her recently for her exceptional achievement.