Varun Chand C., hailing from the small village of Channasandra in Karnataka’s Mandya district, is a first-year law student whose journey reflects resilience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. He comes from a modest family where his father, a retired civil engineer from a private factory, and his mother, a homemaker, have always encouraged him to pursue his aspirations despite financial constraints.
Varun completed his schooling in Channarayapatna before moving to a residential college in Udupi district for his pre-university education. While the institution provided quality learning opportunities, it also placed a significant financial burden on his family. After his father’s retirement, the family returned to their ancestral village and relied primarily on his retirement savings, with no steady source of income.
Determined to build a career in law, Varun moved to Bengaluru to prepare for CLAT. Unable to afford expensive coaching, he relied on free online resources, public libraries, and self-study. To support himself during this period, he also worked part-time while continuing his preparation. Although he did not secure admission to a National Law University in his first attempt, he remained focused on his goal and continued preparing with dedication.
A turning point in his journey came when he met Swabhiman J. Patil, an IDIA Scholar, who introduced him to the work of IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education). Learning about the organization and interacting with its scholars strengthened his confidence and motivation to pursue his dream.
His perseverance eventually earned him admission to a premier National Law University. However, the high cost of legal education remained a challenge for his family. Recognizing his potential and financial circumstances, IDIA extended support, enabling him to continue his studies without the burden of financial uncertainty.
Varun hopes to use his legal education to make justice more accessible and contribute towards building a fairer and more inclusive society. His journey stands as an inspiring example of how determination, opportunity, and support can transform aspirations into reality.
