A childhood loss that never faded and years of financial strain could have easily derailed their ambitions. Instead, they became the reason to keep going. Two aspirants from Uttar Pradesh have cleared NEET, pushing past circumstances that might have forced many to give up.
Clearing the NEET exam is more than an academic milestone but it reflects years of persistence, sacrifice and belief in a better future.
More Than Just an Exam
As reported by PTI, in Lucknow, Neelu’s journey was shaped by a moment she still carries with her. She was in Class 8 when her father died because the family could not afford timely medical treatment.
“My father died because we couldn’t afford proper medical treatment. That loss changed my life forever. I decided that I wanted to become a doctor so that no family has to lose a loved one simply because they are poor,” she said.
She began her education at Prerna Girls School, run by the Study Hall Education Foundation (SHEF), and later earned a scholarship to Study Hall School for Classes 11 and 12. This year, she scored 94% in her CBSE Class 12 examinations while preparing for NEET alongside.
At home, the challenges did not ease. Her mother, now the sole earning member, works as a hospital attendant and domestic help. Despite pressure from relatives and members of the community to discontinue her daughters’ education and arrange their marriages, she continued to support Neelu’s studies.
SHEF Founder and CEO Urvashi Sahni said Neelu’s success reflects the transformative impact of quality education and opportunity. School principal Meenakshi Bahadur described her as an exceptionally hardworking student.
A Long Road to Success in Gorakhpur
In Gorakhpur, 23-year-old Vishal Tiwari’s journey was defined by persistence. The son of an auto-rickshaw driver who cleared NEET in his fourth attempt, scoring 605 out of 720, despite financial hardship and family responsibilities.
After completing Class 12 with Biology in 2022, Vishal initially prepared for the medical entrance examination without coaching as his family could not afford it. During this period, his family arranged his marriage, and he later became a father, but he continued to pursue his goal.
In 2024, his father, Santosh Tiwari, borrowed money to enrol him in a coaching institute. Vishal also earned money by giving home tuition while attending classes and studying late into the night at a library.
Vishal credits his parents and wife for standing by him through it all, as he said, “The first thing I want to do after becoming a doctor is buy a car for my father.”
(With inputs from PTI)