STORY CREDITS

Writer: Vanajakshi B.H.

Photo: R Yeeshu Dhurandhar

In the remote village of Jara, nestled in Palari Tehsil of Balodabazar District, Chhattisgarh, India, where long-term goals are a rarity and daily wage labour is the norm, the Dhurandhar family grappled with the harsh realities of life below the poverty line. Yet, amidst these challenges, young R Yeeshu Dhurandhar’s determination to rise above his circumstances set him on a remarkable journey from this modest village to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN). At the 13th convocation of IITGN, Yeeshu will proudly receive his hard-earned degree in Electrical Engineering, with minors in Computer Science & Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.

Yeeshu is the second son of Salik Ram and Rukhmani Dhurandhar. Jara, located 70 kilometres from Raipur, had never seen anyone secure a place at an IIT, making Yeeshu’s achievement a groundbreaking milestone. His academic journey began at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Raipur, where he studied from class 6 to 12. Out of 30,000 applicants, only 80 were selected, and Yeeshu was among the fortunate few, thanks to the guidance and support of his elder brother, S Anshu Dhurandhar, who helped him prepare for the JNV entrance examination.

At JNV, Yeeshu encountered exceptional teachers and forged lifelong friendships. He fondly recalls his mathematics teacher, H.K. Chandrakar, Science teacher, Jaimala Shrivastava, and Principal at that time, Neelam Pani, whose strict yet nurturing approach inspired Yeeshu to realize his full potential. Their insistence on excellence and unwavering belief in Yeeshu’s capabilities were instrumental in shaping his academic aspirations.

Clearing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and securing admission to IIT Gandhinagar in Electrical Engineering was a significant achievement. However, Yeeshu’s passion lay in Computer Science. Undeterred by his initial placement, he pursued dual minors in Computer Science & Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, aligning his studies with his entrepreneurial ambitions.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges. Just as Yeeshu was about to start his classes, the pandemic forced him to stay home, facing unreliable internet and an unconducive learning environment. With first-year students not provided hostel facilities, Yeeshu risked falling behind. He penned a heartfelt email to the director of IITGN, detailing his predicament. The director, recognizing the gravity of the situation, formed a committee that eventually granted Yeeshu hostel accommodation.

Joining campus marked the beginning of Yeeshu’s second hostel life under unusual circumstances. Initially isolated, his situation improved as more batchmates joined him, allowing him to form strong friendships with 24 fellow students who became his support network. Among the professors who supported him the most were Prof. S.K. Jain, Prof. Nipun Batra, and Prof. Sivapriya Kirubakaran, who supported him throughout four years, constantly arranging meetings to discuss any issues he was facing and his future plans. Furthermore, he is very grateful for the scholarships from the Government of Chhattisgarh, the Samsung Star Scholarship and several from IITGN as well, which helped him continue his education.

Throughout his time at IIT Gandhinagar, Yeeshu’s perseverance and resilience shone brightly. He funded his education through numerous scholarships, with significant support from the Chhattisgarh government, and his family’s unwavering support remained a constant source of strength. Reflecting on his journey, Yeeshu feels a profound sense of gratitude and luck. He recently completed an internship at Skan.AI in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and is set to join the company as a Data Scientist in July.

Returning to Jara, Yeeshu was struck by the stark contrast between his achievements and the paths taken by his peers. Many of his classmates had abandoned their studies to sell vegetables, a reality that deepened his gratitude and solidified his resolve to make a difference. Yeeshu is not content with his success; he dreams of contributing to higher education nationwide, ensuring that more students from remote villages like Jara can break free from their circumstances and achieve their full potential.

Yeeshu Dhurandhar’s story is one of breaking barriers and defying the odds. From the small village of Jara to the prestigious halls of IIT Gandhinagar, his journey is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and the belief that with the right support, anything is possible. As he steps into his role as a Data Scientist, Yeeshu carries with him the hopes of his family, his village, and the inspiration for countless others to follow.

This story has been covered by some of the leading national and local newspaper and media agencies. Click on the links below to read more.