Dreams do not have a silver lining. Anyone and everyone can dream to achieve something provided they have the will to work towards their goal. Mohana H M is certainly a proof to this reality.
Mohana H M, aged 37 years, who has been serving as a city bus conductor-cum-driver fulfilled his goals when recently, he completed his thesis on ‘Hoysala Raja Santhathiya Avanathi: Ondu Adhyayana’ (Fall of Hoysala Dynasty: A Study) and now has been considered for the award of PhD degree by the University of Mysore (UoM). He will be eligible to receive the degree during the next convocation.
Mohana completed his primary education at Harohalli and PUC at Vijaya Educational Institution, both at Pandavapura in Mandya district and shifted to Mysuru for his graduation.
He completed his degree in 2009 after joining the service in 2006. He had discontinued the studies after getting a job as a bus conductor-cum-driver in KSRTC.
Speaking to News Karnataka as to what inspired him to study further, he said, “I was observing the students who were taking my bus to schools and colleges. Directly or indirectly they are the inspiration to continue my studies”.
He went on to pursue his MA in History at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).
‘My father always wished that I should have a Degree in hand as my siblings didn’t study much. After finishing my Post Graduation I was blank about my future studies. It was Ravi Kumar Neligayogi Samaja who motivated and guided me to do my PhD’
“I cleared the entrance exam and enrolled for PhD in May 2012 and my father was happy but in July of the same year he passed away”, he said remembering his journey towards reaching this point in life.
He further said that it was N Saraswathi Dept of History Manasa Gangotri was his guide in the process of doing his doctoral research.
Speaking further about the hard work he put in, Mohana said, “I used to read for 6 to 8 hours daily during my PG. When I started doing my PhD research, I repeated the same method of reading which was useful for me to complete it in three and half years. My friends and guide helped me a lot during the research”.
There were certainly some hurdles that he faced in this journey of his. Reminiscing about the same he said, “I was finding it hard when I wanted get information from books that were written in English and other languages for my research. My guide and Ravi helped me by having it translated to Kannada”.
He never forgets the support from his colleagues from Vijaya Nagar bus Depot who are just as proud and happy for him as is his family.
He also said that initially he wanted to become a Lecturer but once he started his research, his priorities changed. “There are still many topics which have to be researched in History subject. So I wanted continue research along with teaching profession”, he said.
On being asked to speak of his future endeavours, he said, “My wish is to help the upcoming students and Research scholars by translating all the books from other languages to Kannada as I don’t want them to find any language difficulty like me”.
Mohana, who got married three months ago, spoke proudly about his wife who supported him endlessly. With a note of appreciation he said that Pavitra performs multiple roles. She works on a temporary basis at the University of Mysore and has also taken up a course in Journalism.
He also thanked K S Rangappa VC of UoM, KSRTC Officials and his family members who have supported him in his research.
The city has shown its pride over Mohana as even Commuters never fail to appreciate his efforts and achievements. He has become a youth icon in the city, some say.
Giving a message to everyone with regard to education, he said, “Those who have discontinued the studies should start again and continue. Education can get you anything in life. Peace is what I got from studies”.
News Karnataka wishes him success in all his endeavours.
