Malkangiri: In a landmark achievement for Odisha’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), a young girl from the Didayi tribe is set to become the community’s first doctor.
Champa Raspeda, hailing from Amaliguda village in the remote Swabhiman Anchal and Bondaghati region of Malkangiri district, has cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on her first attempt, overcoming extraordinary odds. She will be joining the Fakir Mohan Medical College.
Champa’s childhood was marked by struggle and sacrifice. At the age of five, her father—a small farmer barely managing to sustain a family of seven children—took her through 20 kilometers of hilly terrain to enroll her in the Didayi Education Complex at Nandiniguda.
After completing her primary studies there, she moved to a hostel in Chitrakonda, traveling 60 kilometers to continue her education up to Class 10. She later completed her +2 education at Gobindapalli High School and pursued a science degree at Balimela College.
Her turning point came when she met Utkal Keshari Das, a science teacher from Balasore, who was inspired by her passion for learning.
When she initially applied for a CT course due to a lack of direction, her former teacher, Das upon learning this, encouraged her to pursue a medical career. However, her family, struggling financially, initially refused. Das then promised to bear all her expenses, took her to his home in Balasore, provided coaching, and covered all costs. After just five months of coaching, Champa cleared the NEET on her first attempt. She credits her success primarily to her teacher Das, and her father.
Today, Champa acknowledges that without the support of her father and teacher, her dream would have remained unfulfilled.
Her achievement has brought immense pride not only to her family but also to the entire Didayi community, which has long struggled with poor access to healthcare and education.
Villagers recall how, during her visits home, Champa would spend time teaching young children, reflecting her commitment to give back to her people.
Her success follows that of Mangala Muduli from the Bonda tribe, who became the first to clear NEET and study MBBS from his community last year. Together, these milestones mark a new chapter of hope for PVTG communities in Odisha, inspiring countless others to pursue education against all odds.
