Emelife Stella Chinelo, a 28-year-old from Nigeria, had returned to her country only recently after learning that she has emerged the topper in MSc Chemistry from the University of Mysore (UoM). However, she had no inkling about emerging as a "golden" girl as well. On Sunday, Chinelo received 20 gold medals and five cash prizes, totalling 25 awards, a highest ever in post-graduation studies at the 99th convocation of the University of Mysore.
Elated Chinelo said that it was the result of hardwork and perseverance. "I devoted most of my time towards studies. I was either in classroom or library. The reason why I chose India, especially the UoM for higher studies is because its scope for academic excellence and intense competition which helps in moulding the students in a better way," she said.
A native of Anabra State in the eastern part of the African country, Chinelo wants to make a career in teaching any part of the world. However, for the time being, she has landed a job as a teacher at a high school in her native. Moreover, her tryst with Chemistry is such that she also topped Usmanu Danfodiyo University at Nigeria, where she studied BSc in applied chemistry.
Not forgetting to thank her classmates who helped her in her academic pursuit, Chinelo said: "I was such an active person that I was regularly taking part in various activities organised as part of the free services offered at St Peter's Church in Bogadi."
Chinelo's mother Caroline is also a teacher, while her father Christopher is a businessman.
"In December last, I married John who is also into business," said Chinelo who however regretted that her husband could not make it to the convocation due to some hurdles related to the renewal of passport.
Meera Manohar Rao Anasane, a 46-year-old woman, has secured highest marks in MA Sanskrit and has also pocketed 10 gold medals and one cash prize.
However, unlike other medal winners, Meera is a homemaker who after settling in Mysuru nearly a decade ago, decided to pursue her higher studies. While she has completed her MA in Sanskrit with a top score now, she also has BEd to her credit, which she did at a private college in the city. Though she had a LLB degree from Dr B R Ambedkar Law College, Nagpur in Maharashtra, also her native, it was the conducive atmosphere in the city, also a known education hub, that drove her towards studies again. She is married to Satish, an assistant manager, at Note Printing Press of RBI, at Metagalli in the city.
Sanjana Darla P, a native of Mysuru, pocketed 10 gold medals and three cash prizes. "I had expected about five medals, but has got more than that. As and when I found time, I used to study. But, initially the size of the books had indeed scared me and I had even skipped classes for sometime," she said. Sanjana, who wants to study further, is keen on following the footsteps of her older sister, who is studying abroad. She is the daughter of Prakash Darla and Sarla Darla couple from the famous 'Darla Stores' in the city.
