Bengaluru Boy Slept on the Footpath, Sold Vegetables & Scored 79% in SSLC!

If you are a resident of Bengaluru then you ought to be familiar with the Krishna Rajendra market, which is popularly known as City market. The hustle and bustle at this market begin in the wee hours of the morning and continues through the day.

Do you think it would be possible for anyone to get any studying done amidst all that commotion at the market?

If you think that it is not possible, Vinod Kumar B, a resident of one of the footpaths near the market will prove you wrong.

Hailing from Banni Mantapa in Mysuru, Vinod lost both his parents in an accident when he was only a few months old. Raised and cared for by his maternal grandmother, Munirathna, a vegetable vendor at the market, Vinod grew up there with her, according to a report in the Indian Express.

At the young age of four, he started helping his grandmother by selling vegetables. They lived on one of the many footpaths near the market. It was because of Munirathna that Vinod enrolled in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palika (BBMP) school, near their ‘home’.

A student by day and a vegetable vendor by evening, Vinod grew up like this until he found BOSCO Nilaya (an NGO working with the children in need of care and protection in the city). This changed his life.

According to a report in New Indian Express, He began frequenting the centre to attend the free remedial education classes conducted in the evening.

After a month, he told Fr. Regi Jacob, Director, BOSCO Nilaya, about his living circumstance. He agreed to help him and take care of his educational expenses and accommodation.

Thus, Vinod became a resident at BOSCO Nilaya.

Having studied on the footpath under street lights and fighting against all odds, this young boy has scored 78.9% in the SSLC examination and has done his grandmother very proud.

Vinod’s list of achievements are long – While he is a good student, he also makes it a point to help other children attending the remedial education classes at the centre. He is the leader of the Child Rights Club (Nehru Makala Sangha), Jolly Mohalla, Bengaluru and actively participates in all extra-curricular activities as well.

He was the student representative at the Karnataka State 10th Child Rights Parliament in November 2017. He will be attending and participating in a quiz competition at Hyderabad organised by ISRO to commemorate World Science day.

His ambition is to become an IAS officer and wants to provide his grandmother with a life away from the footpath.

Here’s wishing Vinod all the success!

With inputs from Bosco Bengaluru.

(Edited By Vinayak Hegde)

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?