BENGALURU: The 52nd annual convocation of Bangalore University on Friday lost a bit of its sheen when over 100 gold medallists received just a cash prize and no medal. Of the 203 gold medals to be awarded this year, only 82 candidates received the gold medal.
For students who put years of hard work into their studies, it was a disappointment to see just the cash prize. Some winners were even seen crying.
Sowjanya S K, an MA Kannada graduate, won eight gold medals. She said, “I had bagged a total of eight gold medals, but during the convocation I received only one and for the rest they gave me cash and certificates mentioning gold medals. I am very disappointed with this attitude of the university. It was with my efforts that I bagged eight medals.”
Kashifa F who bagged five gold medals in MSc Chemistry shared the same story. “I was waiting for this moment to receive all my medals from the Governor. Instead of five, the authorities gave me just one. We don’t know who to approach.”
Yashoda, who got two gold medals MSc Chemistry, was attending the convocation with her family, relatives who had arrived from a small village in Channapatna.
Her father said, “My daughter is the first to be educated in our family and we were all so happy to know that she was receiving gold medals. But we were shocked to realise they did not give her the gold medals and instead gave cash.”
Dr B Thimme Gowda, Vice-Chancellor of BU, said, “It costs around Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for each gold medal and all the first rank holders from the university were given medals. However, the university can’t bear the expenses of buying gold medals that have been instituted by donors.”