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| Jayaseelan, University College, Thiruvananthapuram |
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When asked by the interview board for the selection to Fulbright Scholarship as to what his greatest achievement was, Jayaseelan, a 3rd year student of History at the University College, Thiruvananthapuram replied: “Earlier I was a child labourer; now I intervene in the issue with my own proposals.”
Jayaseelan, the son of labourers Raju and Mano Ranjatham at the Koduvakkaranam Estate in Idukki had in his childhood worked for a daily wage of Rs.5. But now as a Fulbright scholar, he is entitled to a Rs.50 lakhs scholarship which he can use to study at one of the 3 universities: Pennsylvania, Arkansas or Ohio.
His winning ways started after he won admission to the Navodaya school while studying in the 5th standard. Jayaseelan has won many prizes at the national level in debate and essay writing. While studying in the 9th standard, he wrote an article on HAM radio in the children’s page of a leading English daily. While in the 11th standard, he wrote a letter to the editor of the same daily criticizing Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife for showing disrespect to the national anthem by not stading up while it was being played.
Now as a final year student of University College, Thiruvananthapuram, he is getting ready to proceed to USA in January. As one of the 10 students selected for the prestigious prize this year, he has got many promises to keep.
Jayaseelan with his parents
Courtesy: Malayala Manorama, November 18, 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
