Follow-Up: Dalit Student’s Dream of Pursuing PhD at University of Lancaster Hangs in the Balance

Prakasham, Andhra Pradesh - Joseph Ananda Paul Sandrapati, a young and determined Dalit student from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh, is facing what could be the biggest hurdle of his academic journey. Selected for a prestigious PhD program in History at the University of Lancaster, one of the top universities in the world, Sandrapati now finds himself on the verge of losing this life-changing opportunity due to financial difficulties and a lack of response from the Andhra Pradesh government.

For the past ten days, Sandrapati has been tirelessly reaching out to the Andhra Pradesh government, hoping for a positive response that could help him secure the funds necessary to pursue his dream. Yet, despite his best efforts, he has been met with silence. "It’s been 10 days since I started trying to contact the government, but there has been no response so far. The university has given me a deadline of one month, and if I don’t receive any assistance from the government soon, I won’t be able to continue," Sandrapati explained in an emotional conversation with The Mooknayak.

Hailing from a poor family in Yerragonda Palem constituency, Prakasam district, Sandrapati’s journey to higher education has been anything but easy. He is a first-generation Dalit student from a family of agricultural laborers. His family work in agriculture, barely managing to make ends meet. His father, a pastor who delivers spiritual sermons, has no institutional support, and his mother contributes to the family’s income through petty labor work.

Despite these challenges, Sandrapati managed to complete his schooling at residential colleges with the help of government scholarships. He went on to graduate from the Silver Jubilee Residential College (APRDC) and completed his master’s degree in History at the University of Hyderabad, where he also relied on scholarships and university fellowships to fund his education.

"Somehow, I managed to survive through government scholarships and university fellowships during my previous education. I always believed that education could change my life and my family’s future. But now, the fees for the PhD program are beyond anything I could afford," he said.

Sandrapati was overjoyed when he received the news that he had been selected for a PhD in History at the University of Lancaster, an internationally renowned institution known for its academic rigor and research excellence. "It is a dream come true to be accepted into such a prestigious university, and it’s a great opportunity to change my life. But I simply can’t afford the fees for the program," he said.

The tuition fee for the PhD program amounts to approximately ₹20 lakh per year, which is far beyond what Sandrapati and his family can manage. Moreover, he says, he is required to show ₹35 lakh in his account for immigration and health services, making the financial burden even more overwhelming. Although the course began on October 1, the university has allowed him to join by the end of the month. However, with just weeks left and no response from the government, the situation looks bleak.

"I have been trying to reach out to the Andhra Pradesh government, but there has been no support from them so far. This is such a precious opportunity for me, but the deadlines are fast approaching, and I am so tense. Without any support, I don’t know what I will do," Sandrapati said, his voice filled with anxiety.

Since The Mooknayak published Sandrapati’s story, a few Ambedkarite organizations and student groups have come forward, offering moral support and promising to help. However, raising the large amount required to cover the tuition fees and immigration costs in such a short span of time seems like an insurmountable challenge. "The Dalit Students Union (DSU) at Hyderabad University and members of the ASA ( Ambedkar Students Association) have given me hope that they might be able to help. But this is a large sum, and nothing concrete has materialized yet," he explained.

With his academic future hanging in the balance, Sandrapati feels the weight of the expectations on his shoulders. He knows that if he can secure the funds and make it to Lancaster, he will be able to support himself through teaching assignments and earn enough to cover his living and maintenance expenses. But without the initial support to pay the tuition fees and meet immigration requirements, he faces the grim possibility of having to let go of his dream.

Sandrapati’s family has always struggled to make ends meet. His father’s role as a pastor does not bring in any regular income, as he does not have the backing of any organization. His elder brother, Immanuel, 28, works in private jobs to help support the family, but his earnings are limited. His sister, currently in her first year of graduation, also tries to contribute to the household, but the family’s resources are stretched thin.

"We are a small family, and we have always struggled financially. My parents work hard, but there is no way we could afford the fees for my PhD program. My brother tries to help, but his job is not enough to support the entire family," Sandrapati said.

With just four weeks left before the university’s deadline, Sandrapati sees little hope of securing the funds he needs. "The deadline is fast approaching, and without any response from the government, I see very little hope of being able to join the program. This opportunity is slipping away from me, and I don’t know what to do," he said in a tone of deep disappointment.

The PhD program at Lancaster represents a rare opportunity for Sandrapati to break free from the cycle of poverty and uplift his family and community. "This is not just about me. It’s about changing the lives of my family and giving hope to others like me who come from marginalized backgrounds. But without financial support, this dream will remain unfulfilled," he said.

As Sandrapati waits anxiously for a response from the government and continues to hope for help from well-wishers, the question remains: will anyone step forward to help this bright and ambitious student achieve his dream of pursuing a PhD and making a difference in the world? Time is running out, and Sandrapati’s future now depends on the kindness and support of those who believe in the power of education to transform lives.