Go digital, even beggar using swipe machine: PM

Kalaburagi, Jan 1: Fighting penury and partial blindness in one eye, a 39-year-old part-time Kannada lecturer from Kalaburagi district is set to become a commercial tax officer after cracking the Karnataka Administrative Services.

Ambadas Kamble, from Kotana Hipparaga village in Aland taluk, had to take a three-year gap during his school and college years - one-year break after completing Class VII and two years to clear subjects after he failed in II PU examinations. During those three years, he joined his brothers in masonry work to supplement the family's income.

Sweeping aside all hurdles with grit and determination, Ambadas studied Kannada literature for both undergraduate and postgraduate to land the post of a part-time lecturer in a Kalaburagi college. His father died when he was a child, and mother Chandamma supported her family of six - besides, Ambadas, she has two sons and two daughters - by working in houses in the neighbourhood.

Ambadas said he would like to dedicate his success to his mother, who died in the year 2012. "My mother encouraged me to chase my dream - financial difficulties notwithstanding - and allowed me to spend time in the library when my siblings were busy doing menial jobs to fund my education. I'm grateful to my brothers too," he said.

His two brothers are working as masons in Mumbai, having quit studies midway and deciding to support Ambadas - the first in the family to complete graduation. He did high school at Tadkal village in Aland taluk, and college in Kalaburagi.

The lecturer, who's 40% blind in the right eye, cracked the KAS examinations in his third attempt and stood 706th in the state. He has been selected for first-grade officer's post. Alongside, he's doing PhD in Kannada literature.

When his efforts finally paid off, Ambadas landed four job offers: Hostel warden at Morarji Desai hostel, at an SC/ST hostel, post of a lecturer and the tax officer's post. He picked the fourth to serve the state in right earnest.

Mangaluru, Jan 2: Shwetha Rasquinha, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Social Work, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, has been awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by the Mangalore University for her thesis titled “Effectiveness of Social work intervention on caretakers of cancer patients- A social work study in Mangalore”.

She did her studies under the guidance of Dr Rameela Shekhar, Professor (Rtd), School of Social work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru.

Ms Shwetha Rasquinha hails from Vittal, D/o Vincent Rasquinha and Late Regina Rasquinha, and is the second person to complete doctoral studies from the Vittal Parish.

Her colleagues and well-wishers have congratulated her for her highest achievement in academics and successful completion of quality research.