New Delhi: Nothing succeeds like success and there is no substitute for hard work, whatever the circumstances. Krushna Chandra Ataka from Rayagada proved this without a doubt by clearing the NEET exam at the age of 33 and getting admission to a Government medical college for his MBBS degree.
Krushna got married at the age of 18 and has two children. Although he completed his Plus II way back in 2008, abject poverty prevented him from pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. He had to resort to doing odd jobs for survival. In 2021, he purchased NCERT books and started preparing for NEET and finally cleared it this year. Apart from hard work and determination, he attributes his success to the support of his wife and family.
Asked what made him take up the challenge at 33, Krushna said, “Rayagada is a tribal-dominated area with severe health challenges. I wanted to serve my people by becoming a doctor.”
His message to the youth is: “Age is just a number, not a barrier. Poverty is not a barrier either. One can succeed with hard work and determination.”
The Odisha Government has decided to bear all the educational expenses of Krushna Chandra Ataka. Odisha’s 5T Secretary VK Pandian informed about Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s decision, saying that all his educational costs for the medical course will be borne by the state government.
Pandian congratulated the NEET qualifier for his success in the toughest entrance test and applauded him in an Instagram post.
“All the very best Krushna. We are all proud of you and you are an inspiration to all of us. CM Naveen Patnaik has ordered the government to bear the cost of his expenses in medical college,” Pandian wrote on his Instagram handle.
