Daughter of daily wage labourer, Bantwal student tops MA Kannada at Mangalore University
Konaje: Overcoming financial hardship, Sandhya from Maninalkur in Bantwal has secured first rank in MA Kannada at Mangalore University and won a gold medal along with seven cash awards at the university’s 44th convocation held on Saturday.
Sandhya is the daughter of Neelayya Naik and Baby from Melina Naibailu in Maninalkur. She completed her degree in BSc from SVS College, Bantwal, but her interest in literature led her to pursue postgraduation in Kannada at Mangalore University.
Her father works as a daily wage labourer, while her mother earns a living by rolling beedis. The family also manages a few cattle to support their livelihood.
Recalling her journey, Sandhya said she began helping her mother by rolling beedis while still in Class 7. “To support my family, I learnt beedi rolling at a young age. During my studies at Mangalore University, I used to wake up at 5 am every day, milk the cows, complete household work and then leave for college,” she said.
She also said that many teachers supported her education. “I received strong encouragement from professors in the Kannada department, which helped me move closer to my dream of becoming a lecturer,” she added.
Sandhya now aspires to pursue a PhD and become a lecturer. She is currently pursuing B.Ed at a government college.
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India dismisses report of Musk joining Modi-Trump call; says it was between 2 leaders only
New Delhi (PTI): India on Saturday rejected a media report that said billionaire Elon Musk joined a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Tuesday's conversation was between the two leaders only.
The New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials, reported that Musk participated in the call between Trump and Modi, adding it was an "unusual appearance" by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state.
"We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on March 24 was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only," Jaiswal said.
"As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," he said.
In its report, the New York Times said it is "unclear" why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke.
Our prime minister only spoke to Trump and there was no one else who spoke to the PM, people familiar with the matter said.
They suggested that it is for Washington to clarify if somebody else was in the room or listening to the conversation.
The New York Times said Musk's participation in the phone call signalled a reconciliation between the billionaire and Trump.
The two had fallen out last year following Musk's exit from a government task force charged with slashing the federal workforce.
The US president had initiated the phone call with Modi to discuss the West Asia crisis.
It was the first conversation between the two leaders since the West Asia conflict began on February 28.
In the conversation, Modi underlined the importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible, noting that it is vital for global peace, stability and economic well-being.
