“What makes JNU different is that people here do not believe in social hierarchy. Everyone — teachers and students — encouraged me; now they congratulate me. I feel like I have become famous overnight,” Hindustan Times spoke to Meena.
Though Meena had gone to the government school in his village Bhajera, the son of a daily wager had to discontinue his education as he had to help his father to make the ends meet. He also tell the college was far from his village.
“The nearest college was 28-30 km away. Moreover, I had to work to help my father too,” he said.
But Meena didn’t leave studies and kept pursuing education from distance learning. Last year, he graduated from Rajasthan University in Political Science, Hindi and History through distance learning.
JNU Vice-chancellor, M Jagadesh Kumar was also ecstatic for Meena’s achievement, “We have always encouraged students from diverse backgrounds. We nurture them by providing them critical thinking ability.”
The father of three daughters, Meena lives in one-room-set in Munirka with family as he tells how he prepared for the JNU entrance exam. “Though I got really busy addressing my family’s financial issues, the regret of not joining a regular college was always there. But when I saw the academic environment here, the dream was revived,” he said.
Meena worked hard and prepared for the exam between and after working hours.
“I follow newspapers through apps on my phone. Besides, students also helped me get PDF notes.”
Meena chose foreign language as he wants to “see places”. “I have heard those who study foreign languages get to visit foreign countries. Moreover, I want to try my luck in civil services,” he said.
But Meena has problems ahead and he is ready to take on them, “I am the sole earner and my wife is concerned about money. There is a rule that one cannot pursue regular education with work at JNU. I will request for night shifts,” said Meena. Meena earns Rs 15,000 per month.
His colleagues are not only happy about what he achieved, but they are also proud of him. “We are proud of him. But working night shifts with regular college is not possible. We will, however, extend all help possible to him,” Naveen Yadav, JNU chief security officer said.