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Passing glory against all odds

21-year-old student aces engineering exam with distinction despite being bed-ridden after horrific accident in January this year

Ketaki Latkar

Posted On Friday, August 10, 2012 at 08:55:14 AM

Omkar is still undergoing leg surgeries for injuries sustained in the accident

Despite a serious accident in January this year that left him not just in a coma for two days, but bed-ridden almost eight months later, 21-year-old Omkar Mankame has done the unthinkable — passed his final engineering exam with distinction.

A student of mechanical engineering at the Padmabhushan Vasantdada Patil Institute of Technology, he met with a tragic accident on January 24, when a heavy vehicle crashed into his two-wheeler on the highway, killing his friend Shantanu Patil and leaving him grievously injured.

Omkar underwent multiple leg surgeries and even today, he is bed-ridden and cannot stand up for more than five minutes. Omkar recalled, “We were a group of five friends going for tea on the Katraj Highway post midnight. On our way back home, I was on my motorcycle with Shantanu riding pillion.

After we crossed Katraj tunnel, a heavy vehicle came speeding from behind us, lost control and ran us over. We were flung straight into a pit along the road and a 120 kg mile-stone block fell on my leg.” When they were rushed to hospital, Shantanu was declared dead, and Omkar critical.

Sunita Mankame, Omkar’s mother, told Mirror, “The accident was traumatic for my son. He has undergone four surgeries and the accident has damaged the veins, arteries and bones of his leg. But he is a fighter.”

Omkar’s close friend Pranav Ganbote said, “It is laudable how Omkar underwent his medical regimen and attended oral exams in college. His spirit was indomitable.” Sucheta Siddha, a former art teacher in the Vikhe Patil Memorial School who taught Omkar, said, “There is much to learn from Omkar’s tale of courage.

Children these days, who get depressed and suicidal over petty reasons should learn from this boy.” Namita, Omkar’s sister, said, “Omkar was shattered by the loss of his dear friend. The doctors, and even we suggested he skip an academic term. But he was strong, burnt the midnight oil and accomplished the task.”

Omkar finally secured a commendable 66.93 per cent. He said, “I didn’t want to waste a year and I was determined to give it my best shot. I studied at night, and struggled to endure the pain. But my resolve gave me strength. My biggest challenge is to come to terms with the loss of my friend. But I continue to be an optimist.”

► I studied at night, and struggled to endure the pain. But my resolve gave me strength

- Omkar Mankame

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