From Tribal Hamlet to Medical College: Odisha Farmer's Daughter Defies NEET Odds

Born and bred in Odisha's Sambalpur district, in the impoverished tribal interior where dreams usually get buried under poverty, 19-year-old Leeza Majhi has forged a trail few can even dream of. The apple of every villager's eye Leeza has not just cracked the extremely competitive NEET exam but also bagged a seat at Sundargarh Government Medical College and Hospital—a dream that now seems elusive, even fragile.

To Leeza, the free hostel at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Bamra,, disciplined routine, and caring environment didn't merely provide an escape from distress—they provided direction. "At KGBV, I wasn't a mere student. I was someone whom people had faith in," she remembers. The school became her compass, transforming mute dreams into a steadfast quest for a white coat and stethoscope.

"Having a dream to be a doctor was still in my mind at that time," Leeza says. "But I was doubtful, then teachers believed in me even before I did."

She moved to OAV Iconic in Bhubaneswar with 82% marks in Class 10 from Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) to pursue science studies. There too, she battled beyond textbooks. Home-distance, coping with competitive syllabus, and maintaining show on pocket money wasn't easy—but she managed. All the battles were worth it as she got 81.6% in Class 12 and cleared NEET just a few months later.

What is surprising about Leeza's success is not the result—but her determination in the face of institutional problems. One of the bureaucrats at KGBV summed up her success as a "collective victory." "Leeza's narrative shows that poorest of girls are able to dream big with good guidance. She is a role model for other girls awaiting her village and beyond."

Now on the verge of becoming the first-generation doctor in her family, Leeza longs to go home and care for her people. "Lots of folks where I come from still think old-fashioned medicine is good. I want to give them good health care," she whispers.

In an era when faces so easily get washed out of the headlines, Leeza's is a soft reminder: at times the greatest heroes can be discovered in the most overlooked of areas.