'Was drawn to science from class VII': Tamil Nadu daily wagers’ daughter with dwarfism set to join IIT-Bombay

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A few years ago, S Yogeshwari had no idea what aerospace engineering was. Today, the girl with disabilities from rural Virudhunagar is set to join IIT Bombay to study it, a journey powered by hard work, perseverance, and support from her family, teachers, and govt schemes.Yogeshwari’s mother, Kanagavalli, works as a daily wage labourer in a fireworks unit, while her father, Selvam, is employed at a tea shop.A Class XII graduate from Padanthal Govt Higher Secondary School near Sattur, Yogeshwari said, “My parents always encouraged me and my two elder brothers to pursue education. I was drawn to science from ClassVII, initially leaning towards medical science. In Class XII, I discovered aerospace engineering through programmes like the Naan Mudhalvan scheme in school.”

Inspired by her brothers — one studying BCom, the otherphysical education — she decided to take the JEE Mains after Class XII.“I scolded her at first for scoring below 450 marks when she expected more, but she challenged me that she’d do well in JEE. And she did — my tears of anger turned into tears of pride,” said her mother.Yogeshwari, who has dwarfism, attended a 40-day residential JEE Advanced coaching camp in Erode, despite her parents’ initial worries. “Coming from a Tamilmedium background, JEE Advanced was tough at first. But with my teachers’ help, I cleared it,” she said.Virudhunagar collector V P Jeyaseelan has assured her full support as she prepares to join IIT Bombay.