From herding cattle to earning doctorate degree in geology
He dreamed of school, got a school uniform stitched for Dasara festival, and wore it to herd cattle. But with the intervention of a social worker, and an educational programme of M Venkatarangaiya Foundation, the 35-year-old ascended from a bridge course to regular schooling, college, and a doctorate now.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's office was all praise, noting his transformational journey.
'Despite facing many challenges, he began his education at 14 and achieved a doctorate. The Chief Minister commended Paramesh for proving that determination and perseverance can accomplish anything. He lauded Paramesh for overcoming financial hardship, a late start in education, and social barriers to earning PhD in Geology, becoming an inspiration to many,' it wrote on social media.
It was Moulali, a volunteer of MV Foundation, who noticed Paramesh and introduced him to the Foundation's residential bridge course in Rampoor in 2002. As he was beyond the appropriate age, he covered years of schooling in months and cleared the Class VII exam at the age of 14 and got himself admitted into formal education.
On Friday, Mr. Paramesh, a day after Chief Minister's greetings, was popular in the media. Felicitations by the Kondanagula gram panchayat, and later by District Collector Badavath Santhosh, kept him busy.
After his award of Ph.D for 'Hydrogeological Conditions and Assessment of Groundwater in Parts of Amrabad and Padara Mandals, Nagarkurnool District, Telangana' in June, Mr. Paramesh is a hydrogeologist now travelling across the State to inspect bore points and evaluate its suitability for groundwater extraction.
'I don't want to see children drop out of school, for any reason. I would like to teach and inspire more children, especially from poor and disadvantaged sections,' he says.
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The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
From herding cattle to earning doctorate degree in geology
The story of Chintha Paramesh of Kondanagula village in Nagarkurnool district, from bonded labourer to being awarded Ph.D in Geology by Osmania University, is that of individual grit and institutional support. He dreamed of school, got a school uniform stitched for Dasara festival, and wore it to herd cattle. But with the intervention of a social worker, and an educational programme of M Venkatarangaiya Foundation, the 35-year-old ascended from a bridge course to regular schooling, college, and a doctorate now. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's office was all praise, noting his transformational journey. 'Despite facing many challenges, he began his education at 14 and achieved a doctorate. The Chief Minister commended Paramesh for proving that determination and perseverance can accomplish anything. He lauded Paramesh for overcoming financial hardship, a late start in education, and social barriers to earning PhD in Geology, becoming an inspiration to many,' it wrote on social media. It was Moulali, a volunteer of MV Foundation, who noticed Paramesh and introduced him to the Foundation's residential bridge course in Rampoor in 2002. As he was beyond the appropriate age, he covered years of schooling in months and cleared the Class VII exam at the age of 14 and got himself admitted into formal education. On Friday, Mr. Paramesh, a day after Chief Minister's greetings, was popular in the media. Felicitations by the Kondanagula gram panchayat, and later by District Collector Badavath Santhosh, kept him busy. After his award of Ph.D for 'Hydrogeological Conditions and Assessment of Groundwater in Parts of Amrabad and Padara Mandals, Nagarkurnool District, Telangana' in June, Mr. Paramesh is a hydrogeologist now travelling across the State to inspect bore points and evaluate its suitability for groundwater extraction. 'I don't want to see children drop out of school, for any reason. I would like to teach and inspire more children, especially from poor and disadvantaged sections,' he says.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Forest dept starts drive to select jumbos for Dasara '25
Mysuru: Even as the Dasara high power committee last week decided to celebrate the festival on a grand scale and cleared the proposal to get Dasara jumbos to Mysuru on Aug 4, the foresters launched a drive to select the jumbos that will be part of Dasara 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Karnataka govt has over 100 tamed elephants in different elephant camps in forest areas. Of them, 25-30 will be listed as eligible elephants based on their behaviour and temperament, which will be examined by a team of foresters, including vets, to select them for the celebrations. Usually, about 14 elephants are finalised for the festival. With the impending retirement of Abhimanyu, the howdah elephant, in a year, officials are actively seeking his replacement. Elephants retire at the age of 60 years. Mahendra, Dhanjaya, and Gopi could be the next howdah elephant as they all passed the endurance tests, having participated and carried out their assigned tasks with elan in previous years. Even their physical appearance is good, and foresters have been training them for the bigger task of carrying 750kg of howdah for 5km amidst devotees. Conservator of forests (Mysuru circle) M Malathi Priya said that the selection process will commence soon, and a team will be formed to examine the elephants to include them in the celebrations. The Dasara executive committee is headed by Mysuru district in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa, who will finalise the list before they come to Mysuru on Aug 4. The Dasara jumbos will be extended a traditional welcome at the Mysuru Palace later. Even new elephants will be added to groom them for the celebrations in the future. Usually, two or three new elephants are given the opportunity to participate in the festival.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Minister opens memorial for Dasara jumbo captain Arjuna
Mysuru: A memorial dedicated to Arjuna, the legendary Dasara jumbo and former captain of the Mysuru Dasara elephant team, was inaugurated by Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre at DB Kuppe inside the Nagarahole National Park on Friday. Speaking at the event, Minister Khandre said that the memorial would be further developed in phases. 'Photographs of Arjuna's various operations, rare moments from the Dasara festival and details of his heroic deeds will be displayed here, so people understand the bravery and significance of Arjuna,' he said. The newly unveiled memorial is 2.98 meters high, 3.74 meters long and weighs around 650 kilograms. It has been sculpted by artist Dhananjay from Mangaluru. 'This statue truly makes it feel like Arjuna is standing right before us. I congratulate the artist for this masterpiece,' Khandre said. Remembering Arjuna's unmatched contribution, the Minister added, 'Arjuna carried the golden howdah eight times during the grand Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari. Though he is physically no longer with us, he continues to live in the hearts of Kannadigas.' Arjuna, originally from Yasalur near Sakaleshpur in Hassan district, was a trusted kumki elephant who led several operations to capture rogue elephants and man-eating tigers. He died on December 4, 2023, during a lone operation to capture a wild elephant, sacrificing himself to save his mahout and forest staff. 'Whenever there was an operation to capture rogue elephants or tigers, Arjuna's name was always first. He was that reliable,' the Minister said. 'Arjuna's untimely death is still painful for all of us. To keep his memory alive, two memorials have been planned — one at his camp at Balle and another at Yasalur. The Balle camp memorial has been inaugurated today.' On an emotional note, Khandre recalled, 'Arjuna, who weighed about 5,600 kg, carried the 750 kg golden howdah with grace every year. When he died on December 4 last year, the Assembly was going on in Belagavi. His fans insisted his body be brought back to Balle for a proper farewell. But moving a giant elephant's body over hundreds of kilometers was practically impossible due to safety risks. His burial was done respectfully at Neduthope near Dabbalikatte in Yasalur.' 'I personally went from Belagavi to Yasalur and offered prayers at Arjuna's grave. We had then promised to build two memorials — one at Dabbalikatte and another at the Balle camp where he lived. Today we have fulfilled part of that promise,' he said. MLA Anil Chikkamadu, CCF Malathi, DCF Seema and many forest officials and local villagers attended the emotional inauguration. Arjuna's legacy as Karnataka's majestic Dasara jumbo will now live on through this memorial, inspiring generations to come about the enduring bond between humans and elephants in the rich forests of Nagarahole.
