Chennai: Young Kedar Kulkarni is a great example of robust will power overcoming serious physical disabilities to conquer top academic honours, consistently.
At the 52nd convocation ceremony of the Dwarakadoss Goverdhandoss Vaishnav College here on Saturday, the youth with serious disabilities received standing ovation as Vice-Chancellor Prof P Duraisamy presented him with the M.Com degree along with the First Rank certificate, while Principal Dr R Ganesan held him tenderly as support on the dais.
The cheering for the young man stayed a bit longer than usual because he had been the top-ranker even during his graduation in corporate secretary degree two years ago.
“Kedar has serious disabilities and has been a special needs child. He cannot speak and cannot write, walks with lot of difficulty and support. And yet, he has been consistently scoring in studies; besides, he is always cheerful and is a picture of hope”, said a senior faculty member.
He said since he cannot write in normal way, Kedar had conquered his exams by typing answers on his laptop. “He has been a great inspiration to the students not only in this institution but also outside”.
Secretary Ashok Kumar Mundra declared open the ceremony, where a total of 1600 new graduates received their degrees in various disciplines. Of them, 343 were PGs and 21 were M.Phil holders.
Delivering his convocation address, Prof Duraisamy exhorted the graduates to help the less privileged and strive hard to help in the development of the country. “You are the torchbearers of the nation. Dream big. Set your goals high. Sky is the limit”, he said, adding that as part of a large social system, they should raise their voice against violence of all forms, terrorism and global warming.
“Your heart should be filled with gratitude for your parents and teachers who have moulded you”, said the VC, reminding them that the graduation is “not the end but the commencement of major part in your life”.
