25-year-old Tejavath Ramesh graduated from IIIT Basara in 2016 with a B.Tech degree. Though he should have been able to secure a high-skilled job after completing the course, his inability to pay off a pending amount of Rs 8,000 has created an obstacle.

The university is holding back his certificates until he settles his dues, so instead of being able to use his degree to find a job, Ramesh is working as a daily wage worker.

Ramesh’s story caught the attention of Andhrajyothi, a Telugu newspaper, which published an article detailing his plight on Monday. Since then, he has received multiple donations, and so far, he has collected Rs 23,000.

Ramesh is the first member of his family to graduate from college. Belonging to the ST (Lambada) community, they hail from Bhavojithanda, Raghunathapalle mandal in Khammam district. After his father died when he was just three years old, he started working in chilli fields to support his family and education.  However, though he thought his fate would change after graduating, the lack of certificate meant that he would have to continue toiling on the fields.

"I had accumulated a due of Rs 8,000 which I couldn't clear even after three years, due to which I couldn't apply anywhere, though I am eligible," Ramesh says.

But after his story was reported in the local news in Khammam, funds have been raised to help him get his certificates back and also help his ailing mother, Rami, who suffered a tooth infection that spread to her entire mouth because they couldn’t afford medical treatment.

"I am thankful for these reporters, since they wrote the story I am flooded with calls. All the donors were really helpful. They promptly asked my bank details and transferred money," he says.

Ramesh has applied to Railway Recruitment Board for an engineer post, and he is hopeful for the future. “I had cleared the GATE exam and I fulfill the eligible criteria for the post, so I am hopeful that I will clear the interview and get the job to take care of my mother.”