A 34-year-old JNU security guard cracked the University’s entrance exam for admission into B.A Russia(Hons). Ramjal Meena, has worked for the university since 2014 as a security guard.
Meena, is a first-generation learner from Rajasthan’s Karauli. His father was a daily wage earner and he could only complete a part of his education from a local government school in his village Bhajera.
Yet, last year he graduated in Political Science, History and Hindi through distance learning from Rajasthan University.
He is the father of three daughters and the only bread winner in the family, his wife had been skeptical over the issue of financing his education. But, Meena has spoken to the university authorities over the possibility of working a night shift and studying along side.
According to sources, Meena said; “Though I got really busy addressing my family’s financial issues, the regret of not joining a regular college was always there. But when I saw the academic environment here, the dream was revived…I follow newspapers through apps on my phone. Besides, students also helped me get PDF notes…I am the sole earner and my wife is concerned about money. There is a rule that one cannot pursue regular education with work at JNU. I will request for night shifts.”
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The University authorities were elated to have found out about Ramjal Meena’s success and have greatly congratulated him. M Jagadesh Kumar,Vice-chancellor of the Univeristy said, “We have always encouraged students from diverse backgrounds. We nurture them by providing them critical thinking ability.”
However,the JNU chief security officer said; “We are proud of him. But working night shifts with regular college is not possible. We will, however, extend all help possible to him.”
Meena also aims to break the ‘wrong perceptions’ people have about the university. He said; “There are so many rumours about JNU after the February 2016 incident. But it’s not like students only protest; the university has given so many scholars to the country…I also want to achieve something after studying.”