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Story of a 17-year-old: From discontinuing studies to later clearing SSLC

Story of a 17-year-old: From discontinuing studies to later clearing SSLC

Time of India06-06-2025
Mysuru: Here's a touching narrative of resilience and determination. A student from the city discontinued formal schooling in Class VI, yet four years later achieved first-class results in the 2024-25 SSLC examination as a private candidate.
Subsequently, a pre-university college offered comprehensive support to make his dream of pursuing higher education, including free education, uniform, meals, transport, and specialised coaching in CA foundation, AI, and additional skills.
This chronicles 17-year-old Rushil's journey. His family's separation during his Class III led to his relocation to Bengaluru with his father, where he enrolled in a public school.
Financial constraints forced him to leave after completing Class VI, without obtaining a transfer certificate. He returned to Mysuru to live with his mother at his grandfather's residence. Despite attempts to secure admission in a Mysuru private school, the absence of documentation and substantial fees were barriers.
In May 2022, his grandfather contacted Kaliyuva Mane, a free residential alternative school in Kenchalagudu.
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Based on the affidavit submitted by his mother, Rushil qualified to appear for the SSLC examination as a private candidate. His dedication yielded success with 71.4% marks.
"He wants to pursue higher education in commerce or computer science. So, when we took him to the Vishwaprajna Composite PU College in Dattagalli of the city, the college offered free education, uniform, transport facility, coaching for various courses, etc.
He wishes to pursue BCA/BCom," explained Ananth Kumar, founder, Kaliyuva Mane.
Sunil Raj HC, managing trustee of the Vishwaprajna Composite PU College, said, "We are running a charitable trust called Samartha Jnanashraya Charitable Trust. The main aim of this trust is offering free education. Last year we offered free education for 20 students in science stream."
"This year, we are giving free education for 30 more students. Along with merit, we also consider various challenges faced by the students even if they didn't score good marks, like children of single parents, defence, poor families, etc., to offer free education. We are extending all support for Rushil from spoken English to AI along with free education, transport facilities, etc.," he added.
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