Hubballi: She did not go for tuitions as her family could not even afford to pay the fees and her time was not spent only on studies as she also had to pitch and help her parents run their saree weaving business. Despite these struggles Pallavi Shirahatti has scored the maximum possible 625 marks in the SSLC final exam.
Her achievement is all the more special as she is one of only three students in the state to have scored cent percent marks.
Pallavi’s father Raveendra, who runs four powerlooms, is facing tough times as the demand for traditional sarees has fallen because of drought in the region. The family has been living hand-to-mouth existence, earning just Rs 400-500 per day weaving sarees. Raveendra is deep in debt and is being hounded by moneylenders.
Pallavi, who studied at SRA High School in Banahatti town of Bagalkot district, wants to become a doctor and help the poor in her hometown. “I had never expected full marks, but was confident of getting one of the top ranks,” she told Deccan Chronicle.
Raveendra said, “I cannot take care of my family by weaving sarees as it is no more profitable. We are being threatened by the moneylenders as I had taken loans to buy raw materials. Despite our struggles, Pallavi’s has managed to do what she has done. This only inspires me to work harder to help both my daughters pursue their career plans.”
