THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A girl student from the capital, who was denied admission to a post-graduate course in National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C), finally got the chance to pursue the course of her choice, thanks to the intervention of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Keerthana, hailing from a humble background, had cleared the entrance examination with the sixth rank in the OBC category.
However, when she went to NIT-C for admission to MSc Physics course on June 25, she was denied admission as the six-month validity of her caste certificate had expired.
Even though Keerthana tried to persuade NIT-C authorities that a fresh caste certificate would be produced soon, they did not relent.
The student approached Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who promised to look into the issue. Even after the Chief Minister spoke to NIT-C authorities, they were not willing to give admission to Keerthana.
Chandy, who visited New Delhi on July 24, presented Keerthana’s case before Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.Following the Union HRD Ministry’s intervention, the NIT Council chairman sent a fax message to the Director, NIT-C to create an additional seat for Keerthana in the OBC (non-creamy layer) category.
The Council Chairman also stated that the creation of an additional seat on supernumerary basis was a one-time step and that it should not be seen as a precedent.
Keerthana is all set to visit NIT-C on Monday to take admission to the MSc Physics course. Keerthana’s mother is a sweeper at the police camp here. Her father had passed away. Her brother has recently completed his MBA course.