CANACONA
A jubilant Ankur Kankonkar, the blind youth from Canacona who has excelled in his academics, said his felicitation by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and other leaders in the Secretariat has been one of the most cherished moments in his life.
"I felt blessed and elated after our Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar felicitated me in the presence of Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant, Opposition Leader Babu Kavlekar and our Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes," recalled Ankur (26), while speaking to The Goan.
Ankur, who is blind since the age of 19, overcame all odds and passed BSc (Computer Science) with an impressive 95% marks in Goa University.
"It is obliviously a matter of pride when someone recognizes your achievements. I also feel encouraged to perform better in future. Though I could not see the people during my felicitation, I could feel the warmth in chief minister's concern, when he asked me and my father if we were expecting any help from the government."
"Though I did request for a scholarship (for Scholars/Toppers, presently available with the government) to pursue my further studies, I also know that despite my blindness, I don't qualify for this scheme on annual income, as my both parents are pensioners." Ankur said the chief minister then assured to have a re-look at the criterion for scholarships.
"Last year, this particular scholarship was extended to 10 students each pursuing post-graduation and research and the chief minister spoke of exploring the possibility of extending the beneficiaries under this scheme to 20 each."
"The hospitality by the government was of high standard. My family deeply appreciated the manner we were invited. Transportation was made available to and from the Secretariat, while the treatment accorded to us before during and after the felicitation at the secretariat was commendable," Ankur said.
A jubilant Ankur Kankonkar, the blind youth from Canacona who has excelled in his academics, said his felicitation by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and other leaders in the Secretariat has been one of the most cherished moments in his life.
"I felt blessed and elated after our Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar felicitated me in the presence of Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant, Opposition Leader Babu Kavlekar and our Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes," recalled Ankur (26), while speaking to The Goan.
Ankur, who is blind since the age of 19, overcame all odds and passed BSc (Computer Science) with an impressive 95% marks in Goa University.
"It is obliviously a matter of pride when someone recognizes your achievements. I also feel encouraged to perform better in future. Though I could not see the people during my felicitation, I could feel the warmth in chief minister's concern, when he asked me and my father if we were expecting any help from the government."
"Though I did request for a scholarship (for Scholars/Toppers, presently available with the government) to pursue my further studies, I also know that despite my blindness, I don't qualify for this scheme on annual income, as my both parents are pensioners." Ankur said the chief minister then assured to have a re-look at the criterion for scholarships.
"Last year, this particular scholarship was extended to 10 students each pursuing post-graduation and research and the chief minister spoke of exploring the possibility of extending the beneficiaries under this scheme to 20 each."
"The hospitality by the government was of high standard. My family deeply appreciated the manner we were invited. Transportation was made available to and from the Secretariat, while the treatment accorded to us before during and after the felicitation at the secretariat was commendable," Ankur said.
