Mangalore, Jul 24
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Rural talents often have it rough when it comes to competitive exams. But hard work and determination always pay off. Twenty-seven-year-old Vijetha Pinky D’Sa, is one such example. Today, she is one of the youngest judges in the state.
Hailing from a village called Agrar, in Bantwal taluk, she is the daughter of agriculturist Emmanuel Vincent D’Sa. Emmanuel has never gone out of the house in search of a job in his life. But he is glad that his elder daughter has been successful in becoming a civil judge (junior division) by passing the Karnataka judicial services exams. The proud villagers also celebrated on hearing this news.
Vijetha joined the legal field of her own free will because she wanted to achieve something that would make give her the opportunity to stand apart. She remembers the day in high school when she had the chance to attend a career guidance camp held in Nirkan where she got information about competitive exams and the privileges enjoyed by a government employee. That day itself she made up her mind to try for a government job.
Vijetha thinks the judiciary to be a powerful field where she can serve society to the maximum. She joined St Agnes College, Mangalore, and graduated in arts in 2002 with a first class. Vijetha informs that though she had been pressurized to take up commerce or science instead of arts, she remained firm and didn’t change her decision.
She became busy professionally after completing her LLB degree from SDM Law College in April, 2005. Though she worked for long hours, her income was not much. She had to borrow from her parents to meet her daily expenses.
Vijetha worked as a junior advocate under M V Shanker Bhat, as also A K Subbaiah in Bangalore, besides practicing as an independent advocate in Bantwal. She would use all her spare time in office to study for the exam that she appeared for in May, 2007. Her confidence was low initially as there were experienced lawyers writing the exam along with her.
Vijetha is one of the junior most lawyers who appeared for the of junior division judge. About 8,000 candidates appeared for the exam and 539 were selected for the final interview. Finally, 232 were selected as junior division judges. Vijetha was ranked 102 in the exam.
Being in the legal profession is not easy for a woman, particularly one who hails from a village, says Vijetha. She says that tough challenges are thrown at you everyday and only determination and grit can get you through. She is glad for the support she got from her parents and says that without it, a woman cannot achieve anything easily.
Her mother, Concepta Alva, is a local village panchayat member. One of her younger sisters, Vineeta D’Sa, has already completed post graduation in applied chemistry. Her youngest sister Vinisha D’Sa is pursuing her post graduate studies in analytical chemistry in Mangalore.
She is sad that the youth of her community are looking for money and therefore migrating to Gulf countries, rather than compete for prestigious posts here. The Catholic community here lacks dynamic officers in government offices, hence, the youth should come forward to rectify this and serve society better, she exhorts.
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