Five children from Odisha tribal family clear NEET, pursue dream of becoming doctors

Two sisters and their cousin have cleared the prestigious NEET exam and secured admission to government-run medical colleges in Odisha, bringing attention to an impoverished tribal family in Kandhamal district where five children are now pursuing a dream of becoming doctors.

The children grew up in a family where the sole breadwinner is a migrant worker who also cultivates a small piece of land. Despite financial hardships, the family placed education at the centre of their lives, believing persistence and perseverance could help them overcome poverty.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryFROM ONE NEET SUCCESS TO FIVE ASPIRING DOCTORSBibhisan Naiak, 25, the eldest son of Brushi Naiak, 76, and Anusaya, 62, of Sikabadi village in the hilly and forested terrain of Daringbadi, was the first in the family to clear NEET.

He secured admission to Saheed Laxman Naik Medical College in Koraput and is currently undergoing his internship at the same institute.

His sister, Monalisa Pradhan, 23, is a second-year student at the same medical college. Now, Sunemi, 20, Ashriya, 18, and Meenakshi, 19, have also cleared the medical entrance examination and are pursuing MBBS at government-run medical colleges in Puri, Bolangir and Bhawanipatna.

Meenakshi is the daughter of Brushi's younger brother Jishiya Pradhan. However, Brushi and Anusaya brought her up from childhood.

"All are my children. We have nine members in the family. Two of my younger sons are studying in school," Anusaya said, sitting in their asbestos-roofed and mud-walled house.

All the children were schooled in Daringbadi and completed their intermediate courses in Nayagarh.'WE HAVE SEEN OUR PARENTS' STRUGGLE'

Bibhisan, set to become the first in his family to earn the title of 'Dr', said he guided Monalisa while she prepared for NEET.

"I guided my younger sister Monalisa for the NEET examination, and she cracked it easily. This boosted my confidence, and I brought the other three to Berhampur town for coaching for a few days," he said.

On how the family financed their education, Bibhisan said his father provided him with a meagre amount, while he taught children in the locality. He has also taken a loan of Rs 6 lakh for his and his siblings' studies.

Bibhisan said all his siblings understood that they had no option other than to excel in their studies to overcome poverty.

"We have seen our parents' struggle. They are our inspiration. We have learnt from them the meaning of simple living and high thinking. We have gone hungry at times, but always strived for excellence in our studies," Meenakshi said.FATHER WORKS IN FIELDS, MIGRATES FOR LABOUR

Brushi himself studied only up to Class 2 but understood the importance of education and worked throughout his life to ensure his children faced no hurdles in pursuing their studies.

He earns a livelihood by cultivating paddy, ginger, and turmeric on the small patch of land owned by the family. At times, he also travels to other states to work as a labourer and arrange funds for his children's education.

The family is also enlisted as a beneficiary of government schemes for those below the poverty line.

"I do not know how they succeeded in life... My immediate concern is funding the studies of all five children, which is becoming increasingly difficult," Brushi told PTI.

"They have taken some loans, but the children need more money for books and other materials. Medical education is expensive," he said.'MY JOB IS TO COOK AND DISCIPLINE THE CHILDREN'

Anushaya, who herself had no formal education, may not understand the lessons her children study, but knows what their education could mean for the family.

"My job is to cook for the family and discipline the children," she said with a smile.

Sunemi Pradhan, who secured admission to an MBBS course this year, said the siblings understood their financial circumstances early in life.

"We realised early in life what poverty is. Keeping in mind our parents' financial condition, we try to keep things within our limits," she said. Ashriya said they had seen their father struggle with the family's financial situation.

"We have seen our father worried sick that he could not do much for us and try our best to alleviate the situation," she said.FAMILY SEEKS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Brushi's brother Jishiya Pradhan appealed to the state government to provide assistance to help ease the family's financial burden.

"Our children will serve the people of the locality as doctors. The entire village feels proud of them," he said. As they prepare to move beyond their village, the children remain connected to the family and its roots, helping Brushi tend the farmland and care for the family's cattle.