CANACONA
Defying various odds and setbacks, Ankur Kankonkar, who suffers from total blindness, passed his BSc in Computer Science from the Chowgule College in Margao with a staggering 94.5 per cent.
“It’s my sheer dedication, hard work and will power to learn despite my genetic disorder, Retinitis Pigmentosa, which impaired my vision, as well as the challenge to prove my adversaries wrong, that motivated me to excel,” said Ankur, while speaking to The Goan on Saturday morning.
He now plans to pursue his Masters in Computer Science and further research in artificial intelligence elsewhere in the country or abroad and hopes to avail of a scholarship from the government or an NGO.
Asked how did he manage to tackle computer-related tasks without vision, Ankur replied: “I used The NVDA (non visual desktop assistant) software, a screen reader-free and open service for studies with texts documents. Word and Power Point helped me to cope with my studies.”
Narrating his personal and academic challenges, Ankur said his vision began to deteriorate in 2008-09, while he was doing B Pharm. “I was struck with this disorder during my second year in B Pharm and I was compelled to leave studies.”
“Before that, I passed SSC from Katiyani Baneshwari Vidyalaya, Kindlem with 85% (2004) and HSSC (62%) in Chowgule HSS.”
“When I had to drop out of B Pharm, my life was in total chaos, and for three years, I withdrew myself to my house in Kindlem, with no idea or plans about my future.”
However, a news item in 2011 was to change Ankur’s outlook to life.
“While I still had partial vision, I read a news article about Kartik Sauhney, a blind boy from Delhi, who passed his HSSC in the CBSE board. His story was the turning point in my life and I began to look out for avenues and began approaching people with a ray of distant hope to complete my graduation in science with an emphasis on computers,” recalled Ankur.
“I approached Chowgule college, but was told that I could not seek admission as I did my HSSC (Science) without maths and was told that maths is essential for admission to computer science. It was then with the Goa Board’s special permission that I re-answered my HSSC exams with Maths and passed it, before re-approaching Chowgule College for admission to BSc with physics, maths and computer science, eventually majoring in computer science.”
After clearing one hurdle, Ankur was soon faced with another one.
“I was soon posed with a tough question, that is, if I could cope up with computer studies with my 100% vision disability and I promptly replied in the affirmative. Returning to academics after a three-year break was hardly easy, but I managed to adjust with the constant support and encouragement of my classmates and teachers. They even assisted me in moving around, as I still do not use a white cane.”
After overcoming various obstacles, Ankur answered his TYBSc exams in April and his moment of glory arrived on Friday.
“Goa University declared results on Friday and I was thrilled to have secured 94.5% in my exams. I still am unaware if I secured any rank at the college or university level,” said Ankur.
His cousin, Manjunath Kankonkar, who proudly broke the news to relatives and friends, was confident that his cousin would feature in the meritorious list.
Ankur now hopes to pursue research in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and is already probing various courses available to him.
“I look forward to seek admission wherever possible in India, as this course is not available in Goa. I will also explore possibilities of doing these studies abroad. I hope to secure a scholarship, preferably from the government or an NGO for my further studies in Computer Science.”
Incidentally, Ankur is the only son of his jubilant parents, Shahu Kankonkar, a former PWD employee, and Pramila Kankonkar, a former school clerk, both of whom retired about eight years ago.
“We are proud of our son, as he is capable of achieving laurels for our state and the country,” said Shahu.
