Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jul 16: Here is a girl who can inspire people who find lame excuses to avoid working or studying harder. She is haunted not only by abject poverty but also because of her crippling disability. She, however, has shown to the world that if one makes up his or her mind, he or she can excel in life.

Bhagyashree happens to be the younger daughter of Keshava Kulal and Rajeevi, a couple from Kooriyala village in the taluk. Her father Keshav, was differently-abled since birth. Still, he operates a petty shop next to his house to support the family. Out of two daughters of Keshav, the elder one is in the second year BCom degree course. Rajeevi rolls beedis for a living and Bhagyashree is the younger daughter of this couple.

Bhagyashree has no strength in her body below her waist. She, however, has an immense interest in learning. She did her primary and high school education in Loretto Church School and passed with good marks. Her mother used to physically carry Bhagyashree to school, stay there till her classes were over, and then take her back home. In SSLC she scored 470 marks and did her PU education through SVS PU College.

Bhagyashree's mother used to hire an auto-rickshaw and then carry her to the college premises where she stayed put on a wheelchair. Her friends carried her in the wheelchair during the recess. She did not want to trouble others and therefore used two wooden pieces as support to climb up and down the floors of the college.

These problems did not stop Bhagyashree from scoring 476 marks in second PUC. She wants to pursue her BCom degree of education through distance learning. There is no doubt that this girl stands out as an inspiration among scores of students who get disheartened even at minor problems they come across.

Bhagyashree says that her mother has physically carried her by supporting her educational ambitions to the hilt. She gives credit for her achievements to her mother. She also thanks her friends and lecturers for encouraging her and confesses that she is ever grateful to them.