Jail inmate earns 3 degrees while in prison, motivates others

BENGALURU: A promising cricketer, G Yellappa’s life changed course when he was convicted of murder in 2003. But if life in jail taught him anything, it was that learning is a non-stop process. Today, after 14 years in prison, Yellappa has bagged three degrees – a bachelor of arts, a master of arts in journalism and communication, and an MA in public administration, apart from an ongoing attempt at an MA in Ambedkar Studies.
Yellappa enrolled with Bangalore University’s department of distance education, from where he received all the degrees.The 37-year-old, who is expected to walk out of central prison in Parappana Agrahara next year, plans to dedicate his life to teaching.
In an interview to All India Radio, Vividh Bharati, Bengaluru, the recording of which was provided to TOI, Yellappa spoke of how the importance of education dawned on him during his prison days.
“I am the last of eight children in my family. After Class 7, I stopped going to school. After news spread that at 23 I had stabbed the organizer of a match at Bhagat Singh stadium in Doddaballapur, I was branded a rowdy, something I never believed I was,” said Yellappa.
“But 14 years is a long time for someone to learn about law and order and to also make the most of this time, which I had no choice but to endure. I got a new lease of life through these courses and I am grateful to the university for bringing these courses to the confines of the prison,” he added.
Inspiration for others
Yellappa has also managed to inspire other inmates to take up these courses. “Around 97 inmates enrolled for the courses after they saw me and others receiving our degrees. Our aim is to get others to make use of this provision and study further,” said Yellappa.
The university has already received applications from nearly 300 inmates for the next academic year. Speaking to TOI, Prof B C Mylarappa, director, directorate of correspondence courses and distance education, BU, said, “We are expecting around 700 applications from the inmates. Many are keen to take up these courses and it’s very heartening to see that.”
BU to extend courses for free
In a bid to promote higher education among all sections of society, BU will soon start enrolling candidates for its distance education courses for free. The initiative will cater to those belonging to the SC, ST, other backward classes, persons with disability, women, LGBTs, HIV/AIDS infected persons, liberated bonded labourers, jail inmates, victims of acid attack, sweepers and scavengers.
“The department provides an annual revenue of Rs 27 crore to the university. Providing free education to those who can’t afford it is the single most important thing a public funded university must do,” said Mylarappa.
The department, which began operations in 1974, had awarded distance education degrees to 47,000 students till 2013. After the UGC mandated a shut down of all distance education programmes owing to violation over jurisdiction in 2013, the department was shut till 2015.
“When we reopened, we were certain that the department has to function on the lines of UGC recommendations. BU is the only state university to be offering these courses through this model,” Mylarappa added.
Mylarappa said the number of enrollees for the courses rose from 3,000 in 2016-17 to 7,000 in 2017-18. Enrolment for next academic year closes on December 30.