Against all odds, Virudhunagar girl set to join IIT Bombay
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Yogeshwari's mother, Kanagavalli, works as a daily wage labourer in a fireworks unit, while her father, Selvam, is employed at a tea shop. A Class XII graduate from Padanthal Government Higher Secondary School near Sattur, Yogeshwari said, "My parents always encouraged me and my two elder brothers to pursue education. I was drawn to science from Class VII, initially leaning towards medical science. In Class XII, I discovered aerospace engineering through programmes like the Naan Mudhalvan scheme in school.
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Though never a topper, Yogeshwari was eager to learn. Inspired by her brothers — one studying BCom, the other physical education — she decided to take the JEE Mains after Class XII. "I scolded her at first for scoring below 450 marks when she expected more, but she challenged me that she'd do well in JEE. And she did — my tears of anger turned into tears of pride," said her mother.
Yogeshwari, who has dwarfism, attended a 40-day residential JEE Advanced coaching camp in Erode, despite her parents' initial worries. "Coming from a Tamil-medium background, JEE Advanced was tough at first. But with my teachers' help, I cleared it," she said.
Virudhunagar collector V P Jeyaseelan has assured her full support as she prepares to join IIT Bombay.
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