Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhanjanagar, Jun 19:

When many break down after their parents’ death, this resolute tribal boy from Odisha made it a point to pursue his dreams of becoming a doctor after his father’s death due to brain tumour a year ago.

ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES IN NEW DELHI AIIMS, New Delhi

Eighteen-year-old Narayan Mallik from Bhanjanagar has cracked the entrance test for admission into India’s premier medical college All India Institute of Medical Education (AIIMS) despite odds. Malik has ranked 13th in the scheduled Tribe (ST) category and 6162 in All India rank results of which were announced on last Tuesday.

The teen was orphaned last year after his father’s death and his mother’s death three years ago. The only child of his parents saw his father dying of brain tumour post completion of his intermediate studies from Khallikote Junior College. Despite limited financial support and resources, Narayan made up his mind to pursue MBBS in a prestigious institute and become a neurologist. For this, he did not take admission in degree courses and began his preparation for the all India entrance examination.

His year-long hard work and perseverance paid off as his dreams have come true with flying colours.

I aspire to become a neurologist as my father died of brain tumour last year. After having specialisation in the field, I would like to do more research into it so that I could treat poor and underprivileged people, Narayan said.

Notably, a Berhampur-based private tutorial came to the aid of Narayan as a messiah. The Director of the institute—Sudhir Rout—helped him with coaching courseware during his preparation and assured him to support him financially in his studies too.

When asked about his preference, Narayan said that his first choice would be AIIMS New Delhi followed by its Bhubaneswar centre.

He has been intimated for counselling on July 8 at 11 am in New Delhi.

While there are five seats reserved for ST students at AIIMS, New Delhi, it would be a tight situation for Narayan to get admission there. Nevertheless, he would have to settle for the second preference.