a day ago
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.
