Sankarshan Mandal, a determined 19-year-old from Tumudibandha village in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, has fought against all odds to secure a seat at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.
Coming from an impoverished background, where his parents, Manik and Devaki Mandal, work as daily wage labourers, Sankarshan’s journey is one of resilience and hard work. Despite financial hardships, he cleared the NEET-UG exam this year without formal coaching, relying solely on self-study.
However, while Sankarshan’s academic achievement has opened the door to a future in medicine, the family faces another hurdle: an admission fee of Rs 93,000, far beyond their meagre earnings. With no means to pay the required fees, his family has contacted the government for help. In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, they requested financial support to ensure that Sankarshan can continue his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
Devaki Mandal, his mother, shared her pride in her son’s success, attributing his achievements to his hard work and God’s blessings. “We don’t have the resources to bear the expenses of his education,” she said, appealing for help. His father, Manik, echoed her sentiments, expressing hope that government assistance might help them.
Residents and well-wishers have also rallied behind Sankarshan’s cause. Hemanta Mondal, a neighbour, spoke of the community’s hopes, saying, “We are hoping that either the government or private organisations will step in to support Sankarshan, ensuring that his golden future doesn’t get cut short due to lack of money.” Many are now looking to the authorities and charitable organizations to come forward and provide the assistance needed for Sankarshan to fulfil his dream of becoming a doctor.
