Money management for education

Money management for higher education:

I was awarded merit scholarship of Rs 50/-  during my 8th standard study. My father came to know of it and he took the money, as he was in need of it for purchasing a donkey. Next year I collected the money from father and took admission in 9th standard. But I lost him during Dasahara pooja period. He hanged from a tree, and suicides.
I was studying in 10th class and did not get money for foot wears and all. I used to leave my residence after morning meals and would carry food-pocket while going to high school. My high school was about one kilometer away from my home. Then in the evening I would go to to Ranjol for night study in a private room with my classmate Kashinath. Kashinath Sangolagi was in better position and he used to study sslc Mitra maghazines. It was an additional resource to get more knowledge about the sslc exam preparations. We used to share this study material.
When the exam dates were notified, my headmaster asked us to deposit exam fee of Rs 25/- I went to my mother and asked for money. She directed me to one Mr. Shankreppa Mulgi, who used to cultivate our farm-field. I went to his residence and told that my mother had sent me to collect Rs 25/- which is to be paid to the school. It was evening, he was busy in his house repairing work, and was sitting on the wall, and he told me, "are the rupees grow on tree branches and I pick and give to you?" I was speechless and returned to mother and told what has happen there. Then she directed met o go to my sister's village, Belkera. Next day I went to Belkera village where my paternal aunt was living. I told the reason of my arrival. She was my father.s elder sister. She took pity on me and sold 40kg Jawar from her home and arranged for my exam fee of Rs 25/-.Thus I collected the fee and gave it to the head master. This was  great incident, which changed my life and goal. A friend in need is a friend in deed! I never forgot this assistance.
I wrote the exam and got through in first-class in matriculation. I could not sleep on the day of my result. Throughout night, I was dreaming of my college education. After sslc exam my marriage was conducted in the last week of summer. I told my intention of continuing my education to mother. But I was penniless. Mother asked me to go to Srimandal and ask father in law for the admission fee. I went to his village and he was a money lender. On that day, in the afternoon, a client approached him and returned him Rs 400/-. That was the amount he was due to my father in law. Then in the evening I asked him money, Rs 200/- which I was in need of, to get admission to Science college at Bidar. I also told him that the money would be returned after the next crops in our field. But this great man, who gave his only daughter to me in marriage, and who had lot of resource, did not agree and told me that he had no money. The same day he received Rs 400/- in front of me and telling that he has no money. I was terribly humiliated on his statement, and felt insulted and returned back to Bidar. I thought, if my father was alive, I could have got the necessary money.
I proposed to sell, the gold ring which was offered to me in my marriage. It fetched Rs180/-  and I had another Rs 20/- with me, which I received as merit scholarship during sslc. So I got admission to PUC Science course. My brother in law was a BA final year  student and I became his room-mate to start with. thus I entered the college campus, which was the only college in Bidar city, in those days.
Now I had no money left for purchase of text books. I prolonged with what ever is available. The second term fee Rs 100/- was arranged by brother in law Gundappa, who was just earning, as he was working in suger factory office Bidar. Then I was in need of another Rs 35/- as exam fee. I asked Gundappa, but he told, he did not have it. He advised me to go to native village and get the things done. He had a cycle. I went to my native village Hochaknalli on bicycle and informed mother about my requirement. She directed me to go to Sitalgeri, where my maternal uncles were living. I saught the help. but they were poor people. One fellow gave three rupees. another fellow gave five rupees. The total sum was only eight rupees. I was in need of thirty rupees. I returned to my village and one Mr. Veerappa Shahabad, assisted me and he arranged rupees 25/- and my problem was solved. I deposited the exam fee and appeared in the annual exam for PUC Science and cleared the exam. There were 300 students from our college who appeared in the exam and only 90 students could clear the puc board exam. Only one fellow got first class. 12 students got 2nd class, the rest passed in third class. I was topper in second class. So I was second to the college in my class. After the result, I was given free-ship and the money which I gave to college, Rs300/- was returned back to me. I was very much pleased. I used this money for next year admission fee. I purchased relevant books for my study. I also applied for National loan scholarship, through court affidavit. The loan was sanctioned and I was relieved, as I used to get Rs 720/- per annum for my education.
But for final year, it was not received, I did not know, why it so happened. I had to barrow from a relative. However, the amount was released after my examination, and I received the amount. This amount I used during my stay at Gulbarge for two months training period, as Telephone operator trainee. Then in July 1974 I was posted to work at Bhalki Telephone exchange. My first salary being Rs 317/-. Thus I became a bread earning fellow for my family.