“Where Determination Met Kindness: A Life Rewritten Through Education”

(The Inspirational Journey of Manjunath P. Gowda, Assistant Professor, Malla Reddy University)

Not every success story begins with stability, guidance, or privilege. Some begin with uncertainty, scarcity, and an unwavering resolve to move forward. The life journey of Manjunath P. Gowda, born on 12 August 1999 in Bengaluru, stands as a powerful testament to how perseverance, integrity, and human kindness can transform adversity into achievement.

After completing his early education, Manjunath set out in search of a course that genuinely interested him. This pursuit led him away from home to Home Science College, Hassan, where he enrolled for his Bachelor of Science degree, particularly drawn toward forensic science and related disciplines. What awaited him there, however, was a period of extreme hardship.

To pay his college fees, Manjunath worked as a daily wage labourer, earning merely ₹50 per day, amounting to approximately ₹1,500 per month. This income was entirely devoted to his education. Food was often uncertain and comfort was non-existent, yet his commitment to learning never faltered. When examination fees became unaffordable, a rare act of compassion intervened. Faculty members from the same institution most notably Ravi Sir and Sureka Madam personally paid his examination fees and occasionally assisted with tuition expenses. Their timely support ensured that his education did not come to an abrupt end.

Alongside his studies, Manjunath worked as a room boy in a lodge, performing physically demanding tasks such as cleaning rooms and attending to guests. Long hours, exhaustion, and social invisibility became part of daily life. Yet, he carried out every responsibility with dignity, firmly believing that honest labour carries no shame.

In his final year of undergraduate studies, his perseverance was formally recognised when he received the “Student of the Year” award along with a cash prize of ₹3,000. There was no celebration; the entire amount was immediately used to clear college dues. For Manjunath, achievement meant survival and continuity.

By 2017, he had become completely self-reliant, managing his fees, food, and responsibilities independently. Despite persistent challenges, his aspirations remained intact. His academic consistency earned him a merit seat for M.Sc. at Maharaja College, University of Mysore, where he secured 4th rank in 2021 an accomplishment achieved solely through determination rather than privilege.

The struggle, however, continued during his postgraduate studies. To sustain himself, Manjunath undertook multiple jobs, including working as a Rapido bike rider and in courier services, along with several other roles. His days were dedicated to academics, and his nights to work. Rest was scarce, but resilience was abundant. During this demanding phase, Hassan Umesh provided him with free accommodation, enabling him to continue his studies without the burden of rent.

His M.Sc. college fees amounting to ₹21,000 were collectively supported by individuals from diverse walks of life friends from Hassan, Basavaraj (his lodge mate), Ramu (a tailor), Sachin (a businessman), and Mohan (a police officer). Though varied in profession, they shared a common belief: that Manjunath deserved a future built on education.

Every role Manjunath undertook labourer, room attendant, delivery rider was performed with integrity. He never allowed temporary hardship to define his worth, holding firmly to the belief that his circumstances were a phase, not his destination.

Today, Manjunath P. Gowda serves as an Assistant Professor at Malla Reddy University, recognised as one of the youngest faculty members in the institution. His journey from cleaning rooms to mentoring students, from struggling for daily meals to shaping academic futures, represents a quiet yet profound transformation.

His life stands as an enduring message to students facing delays, individuals burdened by financial hardship, and workers who feel unseen: one’s beginning does not determine one’s end.

This is not a story of chance or luck.
It is a story of perseverance, sacrifice, gratitude, and resilience.

And it is a story that deserves to be told.

Manjuanth P Gowda
Assistant Professor
Malla Reddy University
Hyderabad
Instagram- @forensic_throttler
Email- manjunathp@mallareddyuniversity.ac.in
Ph no – 8867615595