Pic: : Hansa N from commerce department attributes her success to her mother Nagratna, a former devadasiBallari: Hansa N, the daughter of a former devadasi from Tekkalkote in Siruguppa taluk of Ballari district, was honoured with four gold medals in the commerce department during the 13th convocation of Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University (VSKU) on Thursday.As the student took the stage, the audience erupted in applause, and the dignitaries expressed their joy at her remarkable achievement. For her mother, Nagamma alias Nagaratna, a former devadasi, the event was an unforgettable moment of happiness. As a victim of the devadasi system, Nagaratna shared her happiness that her daughter’s success in academics enabled her to overcome the shame and struggles she endured in her lifetime.Despite severe poverty at home, Hansa’s unwavering determination to study led her to this golden achievement. Hansa, who has three older brothers and a younger sister, stated, “My success is inspired by the tireless efforts and encouragement of my mother Nagaratna.”“My poor mother sold vegetables to support our education. The small vegetable shop in Tekkalkote is the backbone of our family’s livelihood. My elder brothers continue to run this business. One brother is currently training to become a police constable. My younger sister is an undergraduate student. The four gold medals I achieved have brought tremendous happiness to my family,” she added.The convocation, held at the Open Air Theatre on the university campus, also awarded honorary doctorates to real estate entrepreneur Irfan Razak, writer Vasundhara Bhupathi, and mining entrepreneur Bavihalli Naganagouda.Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, who presided over the convocation, inaugurated the event and remarked, “Today, India is emerging as a powerful country in the world. From Chandrayaan to AI, it has advanced in technology. To realise the dream of a developed (Viksit) and self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) India, all of you should strive to become job creators instead of job seekers.”Vice-chancellor Prof M Muniraju highlighted the university’s progress as it enters its 16th year, noting the introduction of career-oriented programmes such as BCA (artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science), BSc (food technology), BCom, BBA, and MBA (fintech, logistics, business analytics). At the postgraduate level, new courses in forensic science and medical physics have been initiated.“More than 25 patents, over 2,000 journal articles, 250 books, and more than 400 conference papers have been published through the Multi-Disciplinary Advanced Research Facility (CEMARF). More than 20 students of our university received the best research paper awards. Student Aditya won a silver medal in the wrestling competition of the 2024 Khelo India Games. Three students have been selected for the 2025 Khelo India Games,” he stated.Prof Avinash Chandra Pandey, director of the Inter-University Accelerator Centre in New Delhi, delivered the convocation address. The higher education minister, Dr MC Sudhakar, was absent from the programme.In total, 42 students from various undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines received 51 gold medals. Additionally, 59 research students were awarded doctorate degrees, and 155 students, including 80 undergraduate and 75 postgraduate students across all disciplines, received rank certificates.The convocation was attended by registrar C Nagaraju, registrar (assessment) Prof NM Sali, syndicate members, academic council members, and several dignitaries and students.
