Farm to PhD: Agri labourer mother earns PhD in Chemistry in Andhra Pradesh

In a remarkable story of grit and determination, a young woman farmworker from Andhra Pradesh recently completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry, overcoming numerous challenges. As per ToI report, the remarkable journey of Sake Bharathi Nagulaguddam village in Anantapur district stands as a testament to perseverance and hard work.

Coming from a modest background, Bharathi faced the challenges of limited access to education and opportunities from a young age. As the eldest of three siblings, she attended various government schools up to class XII. However, due to her family's financial constraints, she was married off to her maternal uncle after completing her intermediate education (10+2) and soon became a mother. Despite the hardships, she remained determined to overcome her circumstances through education.

To support her dreams, Bharathi took up the role of an agricultural laborer while juggling her responsibilities as a mother and a student. She pursued her degree and post-graduation in chemistry from SSBN degree and PG college, Anantapur. Following a strict schedule, Bharthi used to wake up early before the sunrise, finish her household work, and travel several miles by foot to catch a bus to her colleg located approximately 30 km away. Encouraged by her teachers, she enrolled in a PhD program at Sri Krishna Devaraj University.


In an interview with TOI, Bharathi expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her husband, Sivaprasad. He understood her desire to continue her education and encouraged her throughout the journey.

"My aspiration is to serve as a faculty in the university. I realized early that education was the key to making a significant impact in the society. Despite financial challenges, I was determined to pursue higher education. I had to work several days a month to support my studies, and scholarships also played a crucial role in aiding my education," Bharathi told ToI.

Sivaprasad, who works as a landless agricultural laborer, expressed his joy and pride in his wife's achievements, stating, "She always aimed high in life, and she has finally achieved it."