Where there’s a will there’s a way; Ankur scores 94.5% in B.Sc

CANACONA: Ankur Kankonkar, a visually impaired student hailing from Kindlem in Canacona, scored 94.5% marks in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with Computer science as his major subject.

Ankur, the only child of his parents Shahu and Pramila Kankonkar, had a normal childhood till he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when he was just 7 years old. Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of eye problems that affect the retina; this condition changes how the retina responds to light, making it hard to see. People with retinitis pigmentosa lose their vision slowly over time.

He was a normal child who used to be an all-rounder, active in all fields and a bright student in Katyayani Baneshwar School. Later while pursuing B. Pharma his life turned upside down when his vision started deteriorating at a fast pace. In the second year he lost his sight completely. He was only 20 years old.

Ankur recollects, "After I lost my vision the world looked dark for me and with no guidance and idea what to do and where to go, I whiled away precious three years of my life. I learnt that the research for this disease was being undertaken in 50 countries but without any breakthrough. I tried all the top hospitals and doctors in the country to no avail. In the meantime I tried alternative medicine but it was not helpful. One day a friend of mine suggested Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader computer software, which prompted me to do computer science as this, I felt, was the best field for the visually impaired".

With literally no financial support from the government and with both his parents retired from govt service he has already set his eyes on doing his masters in Information Technology (IT). Later he intends to conduct research and eventually getting a Ph. D. in artificial intelligence.

However, he laments the lack support for handicapped persons like him and says, "Even after being highly qualified we are not treated equally, most of the time we are better than the normal human beings.” 

He continues, "I don't like people showing me sympathy; any sort of help is always welcome.” Rather philosophically he added, "If I was a normal student with no disabilities I wouldn't have got so many marks, my disability is my strong motivation.”