Mom sat outside class to help blind girl pass PUC in Mangaluru

MANGALURU: After sitting through her visually impaired daughter's PU classes for two years, Chandrakala Shetty was elated when she cleared the II PU exam with a first class in the arts stream.
Chandrakala, who has studied up to Class X, realized that her daughter Shruti J Shetty, a student of Kittel Memorial PU College, Gorigudda here, might find it difficult to attend classes and write exams without assistance. That's when Chandrakala decided to accompany her daughter to her college and sit in the corridor, making notes and helping her at home. Shruti availed the help of a scribe to write the key examination, whose results were announced on Friday.
Born premature, Shruti has 100% visual impairment. A correction might help her regain the vision, according to doctors. Her twin brother, Shrutik Shetty, is fully normal. He cleared the PU exam in the commerce stream.
Family had trouble finding scribe first
Chandrakala said Shruti "somehow cleared her SSLC" with help from scribes two years ago. "However, I knew it would not be easy for her in PU. Therefore, every day, my husband Jagannath Shetty, an autorickshaw driver, would drop Shruti and me off at the college. While she sat inside the classroom, I would sit in the corridor and take notes for each subject. Previously, I carried an additional set of textbooks with me. Later, I would come home and teach her based on whatever I learned in class."
This was the routine for two years of the PU course. Additionally, Chandrakala would watch videos of classes uploaded online. Shruti's brother helped her study economics, which was a common subject for the siblings. Chandrakala thanked the college management for cooperation and assistance.
The mother-daughter duo had prepared enough for the exam, but they had trouble finding a scribe who would write the exam on the girl student's behalf. "There were anxious moments when we couldn't find any scribe with examination barely days away. Finally, a first PU student, Sinchana, came to our rescue," said Chandrakala.
Chandrakala and Jagannath hope their daughter gets her vision back. "Doctors told us that Shruti will be able to see the world when she grows up. We are thinking of dropping a year and focusing on her medication," the couple said, adding it would be difficult for the girl to continue education without a dedicated scribe or gaining vision partially.