Karunagappalli (Kollam): People can see a small fruit stall near Alummukku in market road here. The fruit stall, owned by Vamadevan, has a success story to tell the world. The story of how eight youngsters obtained government job by studying under the roof of this shop.

It all started when Vamadevan's son Baiju decided to prepare for a government job. After completing graduation, he was helping his father in the shop. He also started preparing for PSC exams using guide books as he could not afford to join coaching centres. He managed to study while working in the shop.

On seeing this, auto driver Mahesh who used to buy fruits from the shop, also decided to join him. He had completed Plus Two. Thus both of them fixed a bulb in the small room inside the shop where fruits were stored and started studying together. Mahesh completed trips early to join Baiju.

Later, six others also joined them for combined study. All of them belonged to poor families and were engaging in various jobs for a living. None of them were highly qualified. They even became friends only after starting the combine study. Some of them joined the team after coming to buy fruits in the shop.

The young job aspirants sat on fruit boxes and jute sacks in the shop while studying. Finally, their efforts gave good results. Baiju was placed as laskar in the irrigation department and was also included in 15 other rank lists. Mahesh joined as driver in fire force and also included in two other lists.

Rajesh was placed as Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in Thiruvalla apart from being included in 7 lists. Rajith joined as Last Grade Servant (LGS) in Pathanamthitta and is in 2 other lists. Ranjith was placed in Railways and is included in 5 rank lists.

Rajesh R became prison officer in addition to being included in 12 rank lists. Baby Shine was placed in Karunagappalli municipality and is in 4 other rank lists. Krishna Kumar joined as LGS in Kottayam and is named in 3 other lists.

When the youngsters achieved their dream, Vamadevan is really proud of them. He used to make sure that all of them studied every day. When any of them failed to turn up for study, he even admonished them like a parent.

After the fruit stall was renovated, their old study room had to be demolished. Baiju and Krishnakumar said that they mostly used Mathrubhumi publications for study.