Mangaluru: Girls bagged a majority of gold medals at the 40th annual convocation of Mangalore University (MU) held on Saturday. Of the 31 postgraduates who won gold medals, 26 were girls. A total of 52 gold medals were awarded during the ceremony. Also, nine candidates, including two boys, bagged more than one gold medal.

Rajani, the daughter of a daily wage worker, bagged a gold medal in Kannada MA, and seven cash prizes. Hailing from Udupi, and a student of the MU PG Centre in Thenkanidiyoor, Udupi, she said her dream of winning a gold medal has come true. “My education is supported by my mother Meena, a daily wage worker, who never went to school. I am undergoing UPSC coaching, and wish to crack the civil services exam and make my family proud,” said an elated Rajani.

On more women bagging gold medals, Shayin, who won two gold medals in mass communication and journalism, and works for a Kannada news channel, said women are getting more recognition these days.

Sharanya M G, a resident of Madikeri, and student of the PG centre in Chikka Aluvara, who bagged two gold medals in MSc microbiology, was accompanied by her father Kuppu Ganesh, who runs a salon. He said, “It was my dream to see my daughter receiving a gold medal. My eldest daughter has completed her MBA,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sheethal Nayak K, who has bagged two gold medals in MCom, has been juggling between making her career in the Tulu film industry and academics. A student of Besant Evening College, Mangaluru, Sheethal said that during the day she would shoot for movies, and in the evening attend classes. Her movie Bojaraja MBBS, was released a few months ago. She is working as an assistant professor at a private college in the city.