Berhampur: From vending snacks in a push cart in a remote village to admission in MKCG Medical College & Hospital – it’s been a remarkable journey for Bikash Sahu.
The 18-year-old Bikash, from K Ranipada under Sana Ustapada panchayat in Beguniapada block of Ganjam district, was forced to sell fried snacks like ‘pakoda’, ‘bara’ and ‘piaji’ along with his younger brother following the untimely demise of their father.
Bikash’s father, the family’s breadwinner, worked as a labourer at Surat in Gujarat. Once he died, the young boy had to take responsibility of earning livelihood for the family.
Bikash, who cracked NEET and JEE Mains 2024, has qualified to join 1st year MBBS course in MKCG, and aspires to become the first doctor from his village.
Bikash, who suffers from low vision, belongs to Persons with Disability (PWD) category, almost dropped out from Plus Two to take care of his widowed mother, younger brother and arrange marriage of his two sisters.
However, thanks to ‘Bipadara Bandhu’, an organisation which helps the poor and socially oppressed, Bikash could continue his Plus Two studies.
Bikash passed class X exam from Kalimiki Jagipadar HS with his own efforts, securing 588 out of 600 marks (89 per cent). It was anything but an easy life for Bikas as he and his younger brother had to sell snacks in K Ranipada and other adjoining villages, before returning home and leaving for school.
‘Bipadara Bandhu’ not only helped Bikas complete his Plus Two, but also mobilised resources for the marriage of his sister with help from generous villagers, said Gaurahari Polai, a member of the organisation which is active in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts.
Chinmay Dalai, another member of ‘Bipadara Bandhu’, has adopted Bikas.
“We admitted Bikas in Plus Two Science in Khallikote Higher Secondary School in Berhampur. He was residing at RK Hostel and we shouldered all expenses of his study materials and medicine expenses. But I must thank Sudhir Rout, Director Aryabhatta Learning Forum Berhampur, who instantly agreed to provide him free coaching for JEE and NEET examination worth lakhs of rupees,” said Gaurahari.
Bikas passed Plus Two by securing 455 out of 600 marks (75 per cent). He secured a rank of 212 (80.02 percentile) in JEE Mains, 114 out of 200 in OUAT and 533 in NEET.
‘Bipadahra Bandhu’ members have mobilised Rs 50,000 for Bikash’s admission into MKCG and are ready to help him in future as well.
Rout said Aryabhatta Learning Forum promotes and guides poor and talented students free of cost.
“Many poor talented students in our society go astray due to financial constraints. This ought not to be. Bikash is very talented and hard working. I must thank ‘Bipadara Bandhu’ for bringing Bikash to us and giving us a chance to properly guide and prepare him for NEET and JEE,” said Rout.
A bright future awaits the boy who now lives in a tiny house.
