Village girls flying to University of Cincinnati to pursue engineering

Two village girls’ hard work and dedication to their studies have made them ink their names on an American university alumni list.

Karishma Randhve of Shirwal village in Satara district and Anjani Lahane from Mangaon village in Raigad district, both 18-year-olds, have been selected by the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio, US, as maiden recipients of the global opportunity scholarship introduced by the varsity.

India is the first-ever beneficiary country of the UC scholarship initiative. While Karishma is the daughter of a labourer, Anjani’s father is a farmer. But poor financial conditions did not stop the parents from educating these girls.

The duo will receive full scholarships, including tuition, housing, meals and air fare for a total value of Rs67.50 lakh each to pursue their engineering degrees at UC, commencing September 2011.

The director of international admissions at UC, Jonathan Weller, is in India to escort the students to the varsity.

Both the girls had to undergo a tough selection process. They were shortlisted from 50 students belonging to rural areas of Maharashtra. The selection process, spread over 10 months, was carried out with the help of an NGO, Lend-A-Hand-India (Lahi).   
Karishma completed her primary education from Dnyansamvardhini High School in Shirwal and her secondary school certificate (SSC) from Pune-based Laxmanrao Apte Prashala.

Karishma used to give tuitions to pay for her studies.

Anjani did her SSC from a school in Mangaon.

“I am extremely happy to have got an opportunity to pursue my engineering studies,” said Karishma, who would be doing engineering in bio-medical stream.

Computer engineering will be Anjani’s subject. “I would like to come back to my village and work for its development,” she said.

Karishma’s parents, Rohidas and Sangeeta, who were present during the felicitation function, were happy that their dream of making their daughter educated is taking shape. “She has made the family and the village proud,” said Karishma’s grandfather, Uttam Randhve.

Ranjana Tekade, the principal of Karishma’s school and her teacher, said that the girls have set examples for other students to emulate. President of Dnyansamvardhini Education Society, Vinay Joglekar, said the girls’ success will serve as an example for students to aim high in life.

Testing mettle
The scholarship is for students who achieve good academic record while overcoming financial and social challenges. The final selection was done by a UC panel. After selection, they underwent two months training to prepare themselves to study abroad, including English communication skills. Jonathan Weller said that the next scholarship will be given after the two girls complete the five-year course at UC. Lahi co-founder, Sunanda Mane, said the selection process was a rigorous one, including tests, interviews, home visits and meeting with parents.