Thanks to Vidya Poshak, students from poor background excel in II PUC

Dharwad: Nine students from economically weaker section who were assisted financially by NGO Vidya Poshak, Dharwad, have excelled in the II PUC examination-2024-2025 by scoring above 90% marks.
These students hailing from Dharwad and Gadag districts are the children of farm labourers, domestic help, barbers, construction workers, carpenters, blacksmiths and tailors.
Rohan R, Hubballi has secured 98.3% in II PUC science and 99.8% in JEE Mains. He has secured 10th rank to the state in JEE Mains. Gayatri Jagadeesh Dyavanur (97.8% in science), Manikant Sunkad (95.8% in science), Bhumika Hosagoudar (95.5% in science), Keerti B Malagi (94.3% in commerce), Akshata Gidadhubballi (93.16% in commerce), Preeti Badli (92.1% in commerce), Lakshmibai Patil (91.5% in commerce) and Nagaveni Varad (91.1% in science) have made their parents and Vidya Poshak proud.
There are over 17,500 such students whose life has changed for the better thanks to Vidya Poshak. Operating in 19 districts of Karnataka and five in Maharashtra, Vidya Poshak has extended a financial assistance of Rs 55 crore. Founder-member and honorary secretary RN Tikot said: "Our effort is to help those who discontinue because of want of money and make them realise their potential and abilities. This will help in saving loss of talented human resource, abilities for society in general". Infosys Foundation, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, SUPRAJA Foundation, Sir Dorabaji Tata Trust, Mumbai, Jindal Trust, The Deshpande Foundation-USA, and Microsofthave joined hands with Vidya Poshak.
About 90% of the youth assisted are from rural areas and from vernacular medium of education till 10th standard.Vidya Poshak, started in 2001 to help needy, meritorious students irrespective of their caste and creed and ensure a bright future for them, also extends library support to such scholars as well as for other student communities. The organisation has a unique way of identifying beneficiaries. Armed with a band of dedicated volunteers, the applications are scrutinised and the houses of applicants are visited to assess the poverty.
So far, over 17,500 students have been supported for their higher education and 100% of the Rs 55 crore raised from the donors has been invested towards empowering the student community.
Ratna Hipparagi, senior manager, digital programmes, admin and HR told TOI that 5,000 students have successfully started their career and have gotten their families out of poverty forever. "Nearly 64% of the students supported are girls. Every year, Vidya Poshak gets Rs 100 lakh as contributions by 2,000+ individual donors. Nearly 50% of the funds are raised through our alumni-referred CSR donations," Ratna said.
Those who are interested to donate can contact www.vidyaposhak.ngo