From Migrant Labour to Medicine: Two Ganjam Students Overcome Financial Hardship to Secure Govt Medical Seats.

Berhampur,31/08(PPT): For more than five years, Rudra Prasad Pattnaik’s father has worked as a migrant labourer in Muscat, Oman, to support his family and fund his son’s education. In Chhatrapur, Sandhyarani Panda’s father earns Rs 8,000 a month as a security guard with a private company. Despite their modest financial backgrounds, both students held on to their dream of becoming doctors.

Their perseverance has now paid off. After securing admission through NEET, Rudra and Sandhyarani have earned seats in government medical colleges in Odisha. Rudra will study at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput, while Sandhyarani has secured admission to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, Sambalpur.

Rudra, a resident of Khandadeuli village in the Aska area of Ganjam district, had wanted to become a doctor since childhood. His father initially supported the family through farming, but the income was insufficient to meet the growing costs of his son’s education.

When Rudra was in Class 8, his father left the village and travelled to Muscat in search of work. Since then, his mother has taken responsibility for his education while managing the family’s limited resources.

The financial difficulties became particularly challenging after Rudra completed Class 10. His mother recalled that the family struggled to arrange funds even for his Plus II admission. A local teacher eventually stepped in and helped him enrol in higher secondary education.

Determined to pursue medicine, Rudra later joined NEET coaching in Berhampur and prepared for the examination for a year. He credits his teacher Basudev Maharana and his father’s constant encouragement for helping him stay focused.

“But my mother did no less. I had wanted to become a doctor since childhood. Watching doctors treat patients in hospitals and reading about their work strengthened my resolve to enter medicine. I now want to complete my education and serve patients,” Rudra said.

For his mother, Rudra’s medical college admission represents the culmination of years of sacrifice by the entire family.

“Our financial condition was not good. His father went abroad so that Rudra could study. There was even a time when we were not in a position to fund his Plus II admission, but a local teacher helped us,” she said.

She hopes her son’s journey will encourage students from financially disadvantaged families to continue pursuing their goals.

A Long Journey to a Medical Seat

For Sandhyarani Panda of Chhatrapur, the road to a medical college was equally challenging.

A bright student from an early age, Sandhyarani had set her sights on clearing NEET and pursuing medicine. Her parents supported her ambition despite their limited income.

Her father works as a security guard with a private company and earns Rs 8,000 a month. The family had to carefully manage its expenses to support Sandhyarani’s education and daily travel to Berhampur for NEET coaching.

Her routine began around 6 am. She would travel to Berhampur for classes and study sessions before returning home at about 9 pm. Despite the long and tiring commute, she remained committed to her preparation.

Her mother, Nibedita Panda, said Sandhyarani took only the money needed for her daily travel and adjusted to the family’s financial circumstances.

“She worked very hard for this success. She adjusted to our situation and continued preparing. The success is entirely hers,” she said.

Sandhyarani said her parents never allowed their financial difficulties to come in the way of her preparation. Their support helped her remain focused despite the demanding daily schedule.

Her teachers, including Basudev Maharana and his team in Berhampur, also guided her during her NEET preparation.

With a government medical college seat now secured, Sandhyarani wants to concentrate on her studies and become a competent doctor who can serve patients.

For both students, however, the journey ahead will bring new challenges. Medical education involves significant academic and living expenses, even after securing a government seat. Yet their stories demonstrate how determination, family sacrifice and support from teachers can help students overcome financial barriers.

For Rudra and Sandhyarani, the NEET result is not merely an academic achievement. It is the beginning of a long-awaited journey towards fulfilling a dream that their families have worked hard to make possible.