Malkangiri: In a remarkable milestone, Champa Rasbeda, a young woman from the Didayi tribal community in the Amri Behda area of Malkangiri district, has become the first girl from her community to clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), signalling her entry into a medical career.
Her achievement brings joy and pride to her family and the wider community.
Champa prepared for the NEET at a private coaching centre in Balasore after completing her matriculation and Plus II at government-run institutions. She credited her high school teacher, Utkal Keshari Das, as a major source of support, noting the many difficulties her community faces—including financial hardship, lack of health facilities, and educational infrastructure. She emphasized that, with her teacher’s encouragement, she was confident she could succeed and dedicated effort to motivating villagers to pursue education as a path to development.
Champa acknowledged that no one from the Didayi tribal community had previously become a doctor nor secured a high-profile position. She recounted how her teacher had used the success of Mangala Muduli—the first doctor from the Bonda tribe who cleared NEET last year—as an inspiration for her own journey. She informed her family of her success, sparking celebrations among relatives and villagers. Noting the absence of a hospital in their village, she stressed that in the case of minor ailments, villagers often resort to sorcery and superstition. As a native of the village, she believes people will be more likely to trust her advice and seek medical treatment rather than turning to superstitious practices.
Champa described her household as large—three sisters, four brothers, and her parents—with her father being a farmer. She shared her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor and expressed immense happiness at her achievement. She hopes to serve her villagers and extended heartfelt gratitude to the coaching centre and those who supported her educational journey.
She was actively helped by her high school teacher Utkal Keshari Das. She will be joining the Fakir Mohan Medical College.
