Tribal boy fights against all odds
P.V.V. Murthi
VELLORE: From topping the tenth standard public examinations in the local government high school two years ago to gaining admission for B.E. Computer Science and Engineering, it has been a tough journey for 18-year-old K. Rajini.
Hailing from the Narikurava community at Kaniyambadi near Vellore, his achievement is significant considering the circumstances in which he grew.
At the age of two Rajini lost his mother. After his father left him and remarried, a maternal aunt brought up Rajini.
He cleared the tenth standard examinations with flying colours, scoring 470 out of 500. His aunt's house lacked a power connection, but that did not deter the young man who studied under the streetlight.
Well-wishers, philanthropists and film stars donated money to enable Rajini pursue further studies. Udhavum Ullangal, a non-governmental organisation, arranged for electricity connection to his house.
While doing his Plus Two, Rajini displayed a magnanimous gesture when he helped 42 other poor students in his school by giving them Rs.300 each from the donations to the tune of Rs.50,000 received by him.
With more help from well-wishers and using what little money was left in the 'Rajini fund', he paid the first year's fees of Rs.33,000 and joined the engineering course. But, his difficult days are far from over.
He has to stay in the hostel (the college is 80 km away from his home) and is struggling for funds to pay the hostel deposit of Rs.12,000. He is also looking for sponsors to meet his monthly mess bill, which comes to around Rs.1000.
And he is still left with the onerous task of raising money to pay Rs.40,000 as annual fees for the second, third and fourth years of study.
The Hindu , August 27, 2006 |
