He sold fish, worked as a mason to earn PhD

He sold fish, worked as a mason to earn PhD

- The Times Of India

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:

When he was admitted to class one, Niyaz Panakaje’s parents were too poor to afford even his schoolbooks and a bag. But instead of getting disheartened, the little boy went over to a neighbour and offered to work as a domestic help to arrange the money for school.

Ever since, he has been juggling odd jobs to stay the course. The journey ended well and glorious on Saturday when Niyaz, now a 29-yearold confident youth, was awarded the PhD in Commerce at the 39th convocation of Mangalore University. Poverty has been the only constant companion of Niyaz’s family.

His father, despite ailments, worked as a daily wager while his mother Zubaida rolled beedis to look after the couple’s eight children —four girls and four boys. “I was the youngest child. I had a strong will to get educated and become a teacher. And I knew poverty was going to stand in my way. I realised early on that going out and working was the only option I had,” said Niyaz, a resident of Panakaje in Madanthyar of Belthangady taluk.

From selling fish to working as a mason and driver, there are quite a few jobs that Niyaz has done to keep himself afloat. “In class one, I worked as a domestic help in a neighbour’s house. Later, I worked as a daily wager and mason, and took up work related to building rings for wells,” he recalled. In high school and PU, Niyaz worked in paddy fields and delivered newspapers.

Niyaz completed his M.Com at St Agnes College. He enrolled for PhD in 2016 under Abbokar Siddiq, associate professor and coordinator at the Department of PG Studies in Commerce, University College, Mangaluru.

“I was entitled for a scholarship of ₹25,000 but it was never credited on time. For the first two years of my PhD, I sold fish in Madanthyar and also transported fish to Kerala. I also worked as a mason. I never felt ashamed of the work I had to do to realise my dream,” he beamed.

He was regular in his PhD studies and completed it in five years. In college, he worked as an auto driver from 7-9am and then 4-8pm. During his MCom days, Niyaz took up a part-time job as a receptionist in two lodges. He even got a free stay in one of the lodges.

He guides PhD candidates on course work. Niyaz was awarded a PhD for his work ‘Role of Co-operative Banking in Socio-Economic Development of Rural Muslim Communities- A study in DK District of Karnataka’. He is currently working as an assistant professor of commerce at Srinivas University.

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For the first two years of my PhD, I sold fish in Madanthyar and also transported fish to Kerala. I also worked as a mason. I never felt ashamed of the work I had to do to realise my dream

NIYAZ PANAKAJE

PhD student