Growing up in a modest family, Manasa L always understood that education was not something to be assumed, but something to be earned and protected. Her father is a farmer, and although the family moved to Bangalore several years ago, they continue cultivating ragi on their land. To support the household, he also worked as a delivery partner with Zomato until health issues made it difficult to continue. Today, both her parents are managing diabetes, and a large share of the household income is spent on medical care. In such a situation, pursuing higher education is not a straightforward path but a constant balancing act between aspiration and affordability.
Despite these challenges, Manasa’s academic journey has been defined by consistency and self-discipline. She scored 98.24% in Class 10 and 99% in Class 12, emerging as the 6th rank holder in Karnataka’s PUC (Pre-University Course) examinations. Without the support of coaching institutes, she relied entirely on self-study, solving nearly 50 problems a day to strengthen her understanding. This perseverance earned her a place at MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology through KCET, where she is now pursuing a degree in Artificial Intelligence, one of the most competitive fields today.
Financial uncertainty, however, remains a constant concern. Her family has managed her education so far through loans from relatives, with no clear visibility on how future fees will be paid. Despite strong academic credentials, she was unable to secure support through the SNQ (Supernumerary Quota), leaving her with limited options. At one stage, continuing her education felt uncertain enough that dropping out or early marriage became real possibilities. It was only her academic performance that convinced her parents to let her continue.
What sets Manasa apart is her early sense of responsibility. She has actively looked for ways to contribute to her own education, including attempting to start a small business of supplying customized printed bottles to local restaurants. While the venture did not succeed due to limited capital and marketing experience, it reflects her willingness to take initiative and learn through experience.
When asked how she plans to fund her education going forward, Manasa speaks with quiet determination. She aims to be selected for the highly competitive Google Summer of Code, a global program that offers students the opportunity to work on open source projects with mentorship and financial support. For her, it is not just about the stipend but about building skills, gaining exposure, and creating pathways to financial independence.
The Shiksha Sankalp Society Lakshya Scholarship reduces a part of the immediate financial pressure, making it possible for her to continue the course without depending entirely on loans for the next phase.
Beyond her own goals, Manasa has also found ways to give back. She has spent time teaching basic English and numeracy to children from migrant families, helping them build the confidence to start school. It may seem like a small effort, but it reflects her belief that even limited resources can be used to create impact.
Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career in software engineering, continue strengthening her skills through real-world experiences, and eventually start her own technology company. For Manasa, progress is measured in steps she is able to sustain, not just milestones she achieves.
Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at NIT Silchar, Assam
