Odisha Student Turns Daily Wage Worker To Fund Studies

Engineering student turns daily wage worker in Odisha to fund studies: Rosy Behera, a 20-year-old engineering student from Odisha had to work as a daily wage earner. This is because she can't afford to pay for her Bachelor's degree, and needs to clear her due fees for the diploma degree that she completed in 2019. 

Behera found work at a road project under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The project is underway near her home, and her work involves carrying mounds of mud on her head.

"After completing my diploma in Civil Engineering in 2019, I am not able to arrange funds for my Bachelor's degree. I also have to pay an outstanding amount of Rs 24,500 to the diploma school, said Rosy Behera.

Odisha: An engineering student in Puri works as a daily wager to pay her college fees.

"Rosy couldn't pay her college fees because of financial situation. She hasn't received diploma certificate. We'll look into the matter," says Welfare Extension Officer, Delang block (27.01) pic.twitter.com/lSggLVnTIy

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2021

Rosy Behera Was Denied Her Diploma Certificate

Behera wanted to pursue a B.Tech program at a private institute with her government scholarship. Although her scholarship covered her tuition fees, she couldn't afford to pay for the hostel and bus service. She said that as a Harijan girl (Scheduled caste), she had secured the scholarship after scoring well in her matric exam. To get her diploma degree and further fund her education, she decided to work as a manual labourer. Her sisters, parents and grandfather also work as labourers for the road project. 

Rosy Behera also said that her younger sister, who is a computer science engineering student is also helping her out. According to her, the total income accumulated through manual labour by her family will help her get the civil engineering diploma certificate she was denied due to outstanding fees. 

"Administration Will Help Her" 

Sheshdev Rout, Block welfare extension officer, Delang Block said that the local administration will ensure that Behera gets the required aid. "Rosy couldn't pay her college fees because of the financial situation. She hasn't received a diploma certificate. We will look into the matter, we will help her. We will report it to the administration to help her" he said.

Financial assistance pours in for the student 

After the story about Behera's struggle broke on social media, the Odisha government announced that it will provide an interim monetary relief of Rs 30,000 to both Rosy Behera and her sister Loji Behera.

Image Credit: ANI