Date:17/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071757850300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Doing his father proud

B. Madhu Gopal

Jagadeesh Ayyappa from Srikurmam is the 99th rank holder

B. Jagadeesh Ayyappa in a jovial mood with his father at the counselling centre in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The EAMCET counselling was going on peacefully at Government Polytechnic College even as some parents waited listlessly outside not knowing when the admission process of their son/daughter would be completed.

A middle-aged man, who personified a typical person from the village, was wandering aimlessly. On seeing this reporter holding a pen and scribbling pad, he asked innocently: “Are you from the media? Will you give (publish) the names of all rankers who take admission today?”

The poor man is Baratam Venkata Ramana Murthy, a native of Sri Kurmam village of Gara mandal in Srikakulam district. His had sent his second son B. Jagadeesh Ayyappa, who obtained 99th rank, into the counselling hall. He was not aware that the process would take quite a long time as the certificates would have to be verified and the rank holders had to await their turn.

Meagre income

Murthy and his wife earn a living by selling coconut fibre. They live in a rented house. Despite his limited income, he managed to educate both his sons.

His elder son Giresh had taken ICET after completing his degree and obtained 127th rank. He joined MCA in Andhra University.

Both his sons studied in government school in Srikurmam. As they secured high percentage in the SSC examination, they were almost given free education in Intermediate by the management of Chaitanya College in Srikakulam.

Jagadeesh Ayyappa wanted to take the ECE branch in JNTU in Hyderabad. He came to know during the online counselling that he would get the ECE branch on double payment, i.e., Rs.20,000. Perhaps, not willing to cause a financial burden on his father, he opted out and went for the CSE branch in JNTU.

He later told his father that he had to pay Rs.10,000 for the CSE seat and that amount would also be refunded later.

He could have got ECE in other government engineering colleges but was bent on joining JNTU as his friends had told him that it was the best college.