N.V.

Nanja is probably one of the most heroic figures in Kanasu land. A Soliga from Konanakere village near M.M. Hills, he has completed his BA and is now doing his LLB at Vidyavardhaka College, Mysore. Barely 5 feet tall, he is hoping to be the first lawyer among the Soligas. He has two sisters and one brother, all of whom dropped out of school, married and are working as agricultural labourers.

At 24, he is encouraged and supported by his mother who works in a hotel. She earns little in terms of cash, but her food and accommodation are taken care of. What little cash she earns, she sends it to him to support his education. He, on the other hand, does not visit his mother often as she has to support him. He stays in the free hostel for tribal children and takes care of his needs himself.

He did his degree in a smaller town in Karnataka and recalls how when the hostel was closed for vacation, students were allowed to stay, but there was no food. So they scrounged for food from friends and neighbours. Ex-teachers, relatives, random acquaintances were all touched for a meal or two. But during the study holidays, they really had to stay in the hostel and work hard. At times like this, they often went without food for a couple of days at a time. After two such days, they heard of an acquaintance whose brother was getting married in town. Their best rags came out and off they went to attend the wedding feast! They ate heartily and lived on the memories for the rest of the week!

He is my hero.

Course: II Year LLB

Support: We have paid his college fees and food when the hostel kitchen is closed.