Vaishnavi Kasthuri has the 'never say die' attitude. It was this attitude that helped this 21-year-old visually-impaired girl from Bangalore in her fight for transparency in the prestigious Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore.
Vaishnavi, who is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree from a reputed college in Bangalore, thought she was on course to fulfill her dreams after having scored 89.29 per cent in the CAT examination. It had been her ambition to join the IIMB.
IIMB had a prescribed cut-off of 86.42 per cent for students with disability. Vaishnavi waited for a call to the next round, but it never came. Not losing hope, she decided to approach the management institute to find out why she was not among the list of candidates. From here began the battle royal.
Vaishnavi sought information about the credentials of other candidates with physical disabilities who had made it to the final list. However, her request was denied outright. She was forced to the seek recourse under the Right to Information Act.
R K Kasthuri, Vaishnavi's father, told rediff.com that IIMB had called him for a meeting. However, he did not get any information regarding his daughter. Thereafter, he decided it was time to fight it out. In fact, he was told that the selection process at the IIM was a trade secret.
The Karnataka State Information Commission, headed by K K Mishra, ruled that the matter fell under the purview of the Centre, as the IIMB did not come under the jurisdiction of the state government.
The matter was then heard by the Central Information Commission, which directed that the criteria for selection ought to be made public. Following this, the IIM did convey to Vaishnavi that her candidature had not been considered as she had not have the requisite marks in her Standard 10th and 12th examinations.
Though Vaishnavi did not make it to the top management institute, but she did win her battle. The question that Vaishnavi poses is: "Why do they insist on CAT when they do not attach too much importance to it?"
However, she is glad her case will be a benchmark for all students who apply in IIM in the time to come.
"Even if a student is rejected, he or she has the right to know why the candidature did
not come through," says Vaishnavi.
Her family is beaming with pride. They are proud to have a daughter like Vaishnavi. A visit to the family clearly shows how they stand together in Vaishnavi's fight. Her mother, Sujatha Kasthuri, decided to remain a housewife for her daughter's sake.
A proud mother says that her daughter is disciplined and unlike other mothers, she does not have to worry too much about her since she does not have to be told what to do. My daughter converts all the negative energy into positive energy, she adds.
Vaishnavi considers her brother, Vishwak, as her best friend. He takes her to the gym in the morning and is with her when he gets time of his studies and cricket. Does it bother Vishwak that his sister is walking away with all the adulation? "No, her battle is like my own," says Vishwak, while proudly showing a photograph of his sister, him and ace Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images] together.
This is not the first time that Vaishnavi has hit the headlines. She made her family proud when Karnataka Governor T N Chaurvedi presented her an award for her achievements during the Independence Day celebrations in the state.
At present, she wants to complete her MBA and join some top company. Every day she records her lectures at college and comes back home and listens to it over and over again She has a specially-designed computer for her studies. She says girls in her college are nice and helpful too.
But will she join IIMB, if they were to call her? The answer from Vaishnavi: "NO."
From India, Tiruppur
17Vaishnavi, who is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree from a reputed college in Bangalore, thought she was on course to fulfill her dreams after having scored 89.29 per cent in the CAT examination. It had been her ambition to join the IIMB.
IIMB had a prescribed cut-off of 86.42 per cent for students with disability. Vaishnavi waited for a call to the next round, but it never came. Not losing hope, she decided to approach the management institute to find out why she was not among the list of candidates. From here began the battle royal.
Vaishnavi sought information about the credentials of other candidates with physical disabilities who had made it to the final list. However, her request was denied outright. She was forced to the seek recourse under the Right to Information Act.
R K Kasthuri, Vaishnavi's father, told rediff.com that IIMB had called him for a meeting. However, he did not get any information regarding his daughter. Thereafter, he decided it was time to fight it out. In fact, he was told that the selection process at the IIM was a trade secret.
The Karnataka State Information Commission, headed by K K Mishra, ruled that the matter fell under the purview of the Centre, as the IIMB did not come under the jurisdiction of the state government.
The matter was then heard by the Central Information Commission, which directed that the criteria for selection ought to be made public. Following this, the IIM did convey to Vaishnavi that her candidature had not been considered as she had not have the requisite marks in her Standard 10th and 12th examinations.
Though Vaishnavi did not make it to the top management institute, but she did win her battle. The question that Vaishnavi poses is: "Why do they insist on CAT when they do not attach too much importance to it?"
However, she is glad her case will be a benchmark for all students who apply in IIM in the time to come.
"Even if a student is rejected, he or she has the right to know why the candidature did
not come through," says Vaishnavi.
Her family is beaming with pride. They are proud to have a daughter like Vaishnavi. A visit to the family clearly shows how they stand together in Vaishnavi's fight. Her mother, Sujatha Kasthuri, decided to remain a housewife for her daughter's sake.
A proud mother says that her daughter is disciplined and unlike other mothers, she does not have to worry too much about her since she does not have to be told what to do. My daughter converts all the negative energy into positive energy, she adds.
Vaishnavi considers her brother, Vishwak, as her best friend. He takes her to the gym in the morning and is with her when he gets time of his studies and cricket. Does it bother Vishwak that his sister is walking away with all the adulation? "No, her battle is like my own," says Vishwak, while proudly showing a photograph of his sister, him and ace Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images] together.
This is not the first time that Vaishnavi has hit the headlines. She made her family proud when Karnataka Governor T N Chaurvedi presented her an award for her achievements during the Independence Day celebrations in the state.
At present, she wants to complete her MBA and join some top company. Every day she records her lectures at college and comes back home and listens to it over and over again She has a specially-designed computer for her studies. She says girls in her college are nice and helpful too.
But will she join IIMB, if they were to call her? The answer from Vaishnavi: "NO."
From India, Tiruppur
Really a Good one and inspiring too... Now a days we loose our hope very soon.... I think Vaishnavi has taught us a very good lesson to be learnt. Regards Anu
From India, Madras
From India, Madras
Amazing. . .. .The girl has proved her merit. . . . . . . .I’m all the more happy that the entire family is behind her. . . .. . . We need such ppl on earth. . . .badly!!!!!
From India, Tiruppur
From India, Tiruppur
It is a very inspiring story of the achievement of a visually handicapped girl.
This is not to belittle her efforts, but the fact is that CAT scores forms only a part of the selection process - shortlisting and call for Interview.
Subsequently; performance in the group discussion, Interview, academic paper along with the candidates background (quantified on a suitable scale) forms the composite criteria for admission.
This is just to put matters on proper perspective based on facts and not on emotions. Nevertheless, her performance is praiseworthy.
Regards.
From India, Delhi
This is not to belittle her efforts, but the fact is that CAT scores forms only a part of the selection process - shortlisting and call for Interview.
Subsequently; performance in the group discussion, Interview, academic paper along with the candidates background (quantified on a suitable scale) forms the composite criteria for admission.
This is just to put matters on proper perspective based on facts and not on emotions. Nevertheless, her performance is praiseworthy.
Regards.
From India, Delhi
Dear,
Its a heart felt story,
And it should not be taken as mere story,
But as inspiration to life,that we can turn negative energy to positive ,
But only if we have courage,Determination and conviction.
Sandeep Singh
From India, Pune
Its a heart felt story,
And it should not be taken as mere story,
But as inspiration to life,that we can turn negative energy to positive ,
But only if we have courage,Determination and conviction.
Sandeep Singh
From India, Pune
Thts power of girl and we ll should feel proud of Vaishnavi Kasthuri. I can really say INDIAN posses such power that they can do any thing if they just have a strong believe that they can do it.
Even she has taken a right decision that she wont join IIMB. My blessings and rather i can say that any one who read it our every ones blessings are with her to let her proove that she is some thing and let the IIMB feel SHY on them by not selecting such a talented personality. She is the next whose name can be taken with RANI JHANSI BAI, INDIRA GANDHI, FLORENSE NIGHTANGEL, etc n now Vaishnavi Kasthuri.
We are really INDIAN n FELL PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.
From India, Delhi
Even she has taken a right decision that she wont join IIMB. My blessings and rather i can say that any one who read it our every ones blessings are with her to let her proove that she is some thing and let the IIMB feel SHY on them by not selecting such a talented personality. She is the next whose name can be taken with RANI JHANSI BAI, INDIRA GANDHI, FLORENSE NIGHTANGEL, etc n now Vaishnavi Kasthuri.
We are really INDIAN n FELL PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.
From India, Delhi
Dear Raj Kumar ji,
I am sorry I could not agree with you. Why the GOI should spend crores of Rupees to run such institutions when a deserving girl cannot get admission ?
Why should we call ourselves as a welfare state, when we cannot give justice to the people who cannot compete with others due to their physical infirmity ? Selecting persons who are well to do and can manage a placement on their own is not a challenge. The real challenge for a Management institution is to select the students from weaker sections, economically and socially backward and bring up and build up to be competitive.
It is denial of social justice, which cannot be justified in any way.
From India, Madras
I am sorry I could not agree with you. Why the GOI should spend crores of Rupees to run such institutions when a deserving girl cannot get admission ?
Why should we call ourselves as a welfare state, when we cannot give justice to the people who cannot compete with others due to their physical infirmity ? Selecting persons who are well to do and can manage a placement on their own is not a challenge. The real challenge for a Management institution is to select the students from weaker sections, economically and socially backward and bring up and build up to be competitive.
It is denial of social justice, which cannot be justified in any way.
From India, Madras
Dear Kutty,
You are absolutely correct when you talk about the welfare of social,economical backward people,
But, what I feel is that , the statement you have given for a daring girl,is highly demotivating :(:(:(:(:(:(:( for the people who are trying hard in spite of their physical infirmity.
May be you have not met any such person in life.
Regards,
Sandeep Singh
9389250953
From India, Pune
You are absolutely correct when you talk about the welfare of social,economical backward people,
But, what I feel is that , the statement you have given for a daring girl,is highly demotivating :(:(:(:(:(:(:( for the people who are trying hard in spite of their physical infirmity.
May be you have not met any such person in life.
Regards,
Sandeep Singh
9389250953
From India, Pune
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