Cycling 16km daily, this Shivamogga girl scores 95%

SHIVAMOGGA: Here’s an example of how a government scheme can help students in the long run.
Vidya SG, student of Govt PU College in Hosanagar taluk of the district, has made the most of being a beneficiary of the free cycle scheme launched by the education department — she pedalled 16km (8km from home to the college and another 8km to return home) — and stood third in the district by scoring 571 marks out of 600 (95.16%) in arts stream.
Having scored 90 in English, 97 in Kannada language, 98 each in history and economics, 97 in sociology and 91 in political science, Vidya said she will either become a village accountant or pursue higher education in Kannada.
The daughter of Ganesh-Puttamma couple from Majare Sannamane in Hattalli village of Tirthahalli taluk said she got the cycle when she was in Class VIII. “I used to take one hour each to commute to college and return home given the terrain en route,” Vidya said.
Sharing her riding experience, Vidya said she is used riding long distances, and that she had cycled to her high school too.
College principal Uday Kumar said they are proud about Vidya’s achievement. “We were expecting good marks from the intelligent and hard-working girl. She cycled between home and college everyday, covering 16km daily, and it paid off. Our faculty and betterment committee members have all strived to ensure that all our students excel in the exam,” he added.