At Gujarat University convocation, girls glitter with gold

A genetic disorder in her vision has not stopped 24-year-old Dhairya B Mankad from winning three gold medals in Sanskrit, a subject in which she now aims to do her PhD.

Mankad was one of the 61,249 students who were conferred with degrees and diplomas by Gujarat University (GU) on Thursday at its 60th convocation.

Governor Dr Kamla, education minister Ramanlal Vora and AICTE chairman Dr SS Mantha were present on the occasion. GU vice-chancellor Dr Parimal Trivedi and pro  vice-chancellor Dr Mukul Shah were also present.

Suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, Mankad has only 10% visibility. "This disease has never hindered my education. In fact, I take it as my strength and concentrate more on my studies. Since I can study only in bright daylight, I study during the day time and enjoy my night time with friends and family. My parents and my sister are the pillars of my strength," she said.

Mankad has always stood first, right from school days. She achieved 75% in MA in Sanskrit and has received gold medals for being the highest scorer among girls, highest scorer in university, and for Sanskrit grammar.

For 23-year-old MBBS from NHL Medical College, Khushboo Sheth, a letter from GU a night before the convocation put her on cloud nine. "This letter informed me that I was going to receive six gold medals. I had expected 2-3 medals," she said.

Sheth received two medals for surgery, three for grand total of 692/900 (77%) and one for highest total among girls. She will pursue her MD in medicine in the USA after completion of her internship in March.

LLB student of IM Law College, Rushikesh J Vyas, bagged seven gold medals.

Students, however, did not receive their certificates at the convocation on Thursday. GU officials said that the students would receive the same by post.