After topping PU, 18-yr-old weds college dropout

TUMKUR: This 18-year-old village girl even drew the Chief Minister's attention after bagging the third place in the state in the recently announced II PUC results. But despite the CM's offer to fund her studies, she ended up marrying a college dropout on Sunday.M Shilpakala, the ambitious girl who scored 560 marks (93.3 per cent) in PUC (HEPS) and dreamt of becoming an IAS officer, was married to her maternal uncle's son Raghu. The wedding ceremony was held on Sunday at Kolala town near Koratagere in keeping with the wishes of her parents, who work as farm hands.When this correspondent met the topper on May 11 the day the PU results were declared, the girl looked rather pensive.Perhaps, the prospect of getting married was weighing her down as she was already engaged to Raghu.Shilpakala, who hails from Kalenahalli village, had crossed the first hurdle of a rural student: SSLC. She cleared the exams with first class marks. Sources said Maranna, her father, wanted his daughter to discontinue her studies after SSLC. However, the girl's mother came to her rescue and supported her in pursuing studies.Later, teachers at the Basaveshwara PU College at Kolala encouraged Shilpakala to achieve the feat. She realised their dream by emerging with flying colours. Deputy Commissioner C Somashekara honoured her with a cheque of Rs 10,000. Following instructions from Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, the Deputy Commissioner had also taken steps to fund Shilpakala's future studies.When asked for his reaction, the DC told 'Express' that his efforts to convince Shilpakala's parents to put her marriage on hold went in vain. He said he would report the matter to the Chief Minister's office.Koratagere circle police inspector Shivakumar said Shilpakala was just 18 but eligible for marriage.However, the issue has raised questions regarding the fate of rural girls.