[AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want. Persons with disabilities, he says, suffer from lack of exposure and lack of opportunities. You have to see where you stand in the society, not as a visually-challenged person but as a human being. He sings paeans about U.S. The university is very helpful. They have so many resources. People don't show sympathy there. In fact they provide you opportunities. He has already finished two semesters at the university (scoring 5/5 GPA) and currently is interning with GE in Hyderabad. Srikanth is keen on entrepreneurship and plans to launch a software firm after his course where he wants to give opportunities to rural youth. Voice your thoughts in the blog to discuss the Rights of persons with disability bill at: http://www.accessindia.org.in/harish/blog.htm To unsubscribe send
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Very encouraging and inspiring indeed. - Original Message - From: Renuka Warrier eren...@gmail.com To: access india accessindia@accessindia.org.in Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:21 AM Subject: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want. Persons with disabilities, he says, suffer from lack of exposure and lack of opportunities. You have to see where you stand in the society, not as a visually-challenged person but as a human being. He sings paeans about U.S. The university is very helpful. They have so many resources. People don't show sympathy there. In fact they provide you opportunities. He has already finished two semesters at the university (scoring 5/5 GPA) and currently is interning with GE in Hyderabad. Srikanth is keen on entrepreneurship
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
head soft to everybody involved in this story. no words.. Do anyone of you know the contact information of this man? Although I have nothing to do with science but its worth making contact with such intelligent people. I openly say shame on indian institutes. He has slapped these people. Regards Amar Jain. -- From: Renuka Warrier eren...@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:21 AM To: access india accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want. Persons with disabilities, he says, suffer from lack of exposure and lack of opportunities. You have to see where you stand in the society, not as a visually-challenged person but as a human being. He sings paeans about U.S. The university
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
very interesting, and inspiring too. yes, i too would like to have the contact number or e-mail ID of this man. do any of you having the same? aisha sahani. On 6/21/10, Amar Jain amarjain2...@gmail.com wrote: head soft to everybody involved in this story. no words.. Do anyone of you know the contact information of this man? Although I have nothing to do with science but its worth making contact with such intelligent people. I openly say shame on indian institutes. He has slapped these people. Regards Amar Jain. -- From: Renuka Warrier eren...@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:21 AM To: access india accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want. Persons
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
hey this is excellent! this really shows that WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS SURELY A WAY hats off to Shrikanth! pls pass me his contact details too.. i will be greatful. regards. On 6/21/10, aisha sahani mailtoaishasah...@gmail.com wrote: very interesting, and inspiring too. yes, i too would like to have the contact number or e-mail ID of this man. do any of you having the same? aisha sahani. On 6/21/10, Amar Jain amarjain2...@gmail.com wrote: head soft to everybody involved in this story. no words.. Do anyone of you know the contact information of this man? Although I have nothing to do with science but its worth making contact with such intelligent people. I openly say shame on indian institutes. He has slapped these people. Regards Amar Jain. -- From: Renuka Warrier eren...@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:21 AM To: access india accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
You may contact him at the E-mail ID bo...@mit.edu. On 6/21/10, Taha Haaziq tahahaa...@gmail.com wrote: hey this is excellent! this really shows that WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS SURELY A WAY hats off to Shrikanth! pls pass me his contact details too.. i will be greatful. regards. On 6/21/10, aisha sahani mailtoaishasah...@gmail.com wrote: very interesting, and inspiring too. yes, i too would like to have the contact number or e-mail ID of this man. do any of you having the same? aisha sahani. On 6/21/10, Amar Jain amarjain2...@gmail.com wrote: head soft to everybody involved in this story. no words.. Do anyone of you know the contact information of this man? Although I have nothing to do with science but its worth making contact with such intelligent people. I openly say shame on indian institutes. He has slapped these people. Regards Amar Jain. -- From: Renuka Warrier eren...@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:21 AM To: access india accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Date:21/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2010/06/21/stories/2010062150460400.htm _ Link: Education Plus Making it to MIT against odds YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the university PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the university. Though they are illiterate, both of them had a strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says. It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class X Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up the Maths, Physics, Chemistry stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they asked me to get away. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for the MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind, and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the U.S., Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open to international students for which students from 70 countries in the world compete, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $ 49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
This is for the info of all. While searching on MIT online directories, I managed to get the official MIT mail of Bolla which is bo...@mit.edu. Any one who wants to get in touch with him may do so. -Kartik On 6/17/10, Kartik Sawhney sawhney.kar...@gmail.com wrote: Sure Sir. Thank you so much. On 6/17/10, Subramani L lsubram...@deccanherald.co.in wrote: If you can wait I may be able to provide it to you in a day or two. I have asked a contact in GE to source it out. Subramani -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:52 PM To: mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com; accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
If you can wait I may be able to provide it to you in a day or two. I have asked a contact in GE to source it out. Subramani -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:52 PM To: mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com; accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Sure Sir. Thank you so much. On 6/17/10, Subramani L lsubram...@deccanherald.co.in wrote: If you can wait I may be able to provide it to you in a day or two. I have asked a contact in GE to source it out. Subramani -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:52 PM To: mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com; accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Sure Sir. Thank you so much. On 6/17/10, Subramani L lsubram...@deccanherald.co.in wrote: If you can wait I may be able to provide it to you in a day or two. I have asked a contact in GE to source it out. Subramani -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:52 PM To: mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com; accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. “Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me,” he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. “I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me,” he says, “It has been a long journey.” From being a “rural introvert”, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. “When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons,” he recollects. “After a lot of trouble,” Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. “When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them.” Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. “I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study Sciences.” Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the US, Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. “Only 120 seats are open for international students for which students from 70 countries in the world fight,” he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $49,000 scholarship. “My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me.” She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. “Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want.” Persons with disabilities, he says, suffer from lack of exposure and lack of opportunities. “You have to see where you stand in the society, not as a visually-challenged person but as a human being.”
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study Sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the US, Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open for international students for which students from 70 countries in the world fight, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study Sciences. Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the US, Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. Only 120 seats are open for international students for which students from 70 countries in the world fight, he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $49,000 scholarship. My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me. She was by his side throughout: fighting for him
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them. Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study Sciences. Guided by his
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
i think, he is member of our group. may be he will reply soon. At 06:21 PM 6/16/2010, you wrote: Once again, kindly provide contact details of Srikanth if available. On 6/16/10, Mukesh Sharma mrmukeshsha...@gmail.com wrote: A sweet boy with 100% blindness! -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Vamshi G Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:21 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Hi, Are you a person with low vision or total blindness? I know a few low vision people pursuing academics in sciences. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds Thank you, but I have already got in touch with both of them. I would like to interact with as many people as possible, and hence I desire the No. On 6/16/10, Vamshi G gvamsh...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Karthik, For taking sciences, you may contact L. Pavan, Mayank Sharma, who are on this very list. Regards, Vamshi G M: +91 9949349497 R: +91 877 2243861 Skype: gvamshi81 www.retinaindia.org From darkness unto light -Original Message- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kartik Sawhney Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds This is Kartik. As is quite evident from my few previous mails, I want to take up PCM in class XI. However, I am currently facing many such hurdles. Can I get the contact No. of Srikant so that I can have a word with him. Your earliest response will be appreciated. On 6/16/10, Swasti Mathur swastimat...@gmail.com wrote: hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me, he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me, he says, It has been a long journey. From being a rural introvert, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons, he recollects. After a lot of trouble, Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream
Re: [AI] Making it to MIT against odds
hi hats off to The Srikant. he is a source of inspiration to hundreds and thousands of future students who want to opt for PCM but step back due to pulling by the society and many other circumstances acting like non-avalibility of study material. really this boy is geneous. may he climb the laddar of success throughout his life. waiting for a chance to meet such a brilient guy! and exchange few words. regards Swasti yogesh dubey wrote: Bolla Srikanth, a visually-challenged boy, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences at the varsity, says YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI - PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL Winner: Bolla Srikanth in conversation with National Trust Chairperson Poonam Natarajan during the inaugural function of Abilities Mela 2010 in Secunderabad. Bolla Srikanth was barely few years old when many in his community counselled his parents to abandon him. The pressure was heavy on his illiterate parents, a farmer father and housewife mother, but they never yielded. Had they heeded their advice, the world would have been minus one inspiring story today. From a small village Sitaramapuram near Machlipatnam town in Krishna district, this visually-challenged boy has made it to the portals of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. The 18-year-old is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Sciences in Brain and Cognitive Science, Business Management and Computer Science at the varsity. “Though they are illiterate, both of them, they had strong will to get me educated. This inspired me,” he says. Shortly after, about 13 years ago, an uncle of his enrolled him in Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad, and life took a different spin for Srikanth. “I didn't know anything when I joined school. I was like a rural introvert. I learned everything, I picked up English. I joined community service. Now, I have occupied a place in the society where people are respecting me,” he says, “It has been a long journey.” From being a “rural introvert”, Srikanth went on to secure 92 per cent in the Class 10 Board Examinations and was a two-time recipient of Pratibha Awards given by the Andhra Pradesh State government for students who excel in public examinations every year. He also received a citation for outstanding community service as Youth Leader in Lead India 2020 from former President APJ Abdul Kalam and was a national chess player playing against the likes of Koneru Humpy. Intermediate was next and he wanted to take up Maths, Physics, Chemistry (MPC) stream to be eligible to study engineering. But a disinclined officialdom was not encouraging. “When I visited the offices for the first time, they said get away from here. Even an IAS officer was not able to realise the potential of blind persons,” he recollects. “After a lot of trouble,” Srikanth finally managed to enrol himself for MPC stream at a private college, a good three months after the classes began. He went on to secure an aggregate percentage of 93 at the end of two years. Challenges persisted still. “When I wanted to prepare for IIT, one coaching centre told me straightaway I was not fit to join them.” Another top institute in the country did not even bother to respond to his application. “I didn't even get my hall ticket. I was not even allowed to write AIEEE. But, I was not disturbed because I was focussed on my goal and I wanted to study Sciences.” Guided by his mentors Swarnalatha, teacher at Devnar School for the Blind and G. Ravishankar, a software consultant in the US, Srikanth realised his ambition of studying at MIT. “Only 120 seats are open for international students for which students from 70 countries in the world fight,” he says proudly of his admission that came with a US $49,000 scholarship. “My mentor Swarnalatha was like a backbone to me in whatever I did so far. She has worked harder than me.” She was by his side throughout: fighting for him, managing his study expenses, recording material for him to study easily and even lodging him in her house during initial days of his Intermediate. Mr. Ravishankar, whom Srikanth met during an international conference at Indian School of Business, helped him apply to different universities abroad. “Because I was a special student, we had to fill up some special forms. He also worked really hard with me for six months. Even now he is in contact and helps me with whatever I want.” Persons with disabilities, he says, suffer from lack of exposure and lack of opportunities. “You have to see where you stand in the society, not as a visually-challenged person but as a human being.” He sings paeans about U.S. “The University is very helpful. They have so many resources. People don't show sympathy there. In fact they provide you opportunities.” He has already finished two semesters at the university (scoring 5/5 GPA) and currently is interning with GE in Hyderabad. Srikanth is keen on entrepreneurship and plans to launch a software firm after his course where he wants to give
