Polio-afflicted Kiran Kumar not only gets his B.Tech from IIT-H but also lands a lucrative job with global software giant Microsoft

He was not even a gold medalist, but the spotlight was clearly on 23-year-old Kiran Kumar, when he was handed over his degree out of the 200-plus students who received them on Friday at the Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad (IIT-H).

He is an example of how physical disability is not a hindrance to fulfil dreams. And Kiran’s hard work has pulled-off, for the B.Tech graduate in computer science, was hired by software giant Microsoft a month ago.

“Teachers and my friends were very helpful, and the director of the institution was also very supportive,” beamed Kiran, who hails from Srikakulam district in AP. Having completed his intermediate in the International Institute of Technology, Nuzvid, this son of a bus conductor bagged a scholarship in IIT-H, which lessened the financial burden for him, as he had taken a loan to pursue his education.

“I have two sisters who are 17 and 21. So, now I am also supporting my family, apart from paying back the bank loan I took for my studies,” he said. Kiran also thanked U. B. Desai, Director, IIT-H, and his professors for being accommodative during his course. “My classes were shifted to the ground floor, and my hostel room was also on the same level. Not only that, my teachers would let me finish my work on the laptop, and would check it there itself,” explained the youngster, who suffers from polio, and requires a wheelchair to move around. But his disability is anything but a hindrance, as he said that he was able to enjoy every part of his four years at IIT-H.

“Whenever my friends went out, they would take me around, ensuring that I never skipped any enjoyment. Plus, I had an uncle who stayed with me, to take care of me,” he said, enjoying the limelight.

source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Yunus Y. Lasania / Hyderabad – August 10th, 2014