Koraput: There is an ancient adage saying ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’ and Hebal Pradhan, belonging to an underprivileged family in Medubadi village under Daringbadi block of Odisha’s Kandhamal district, proves it.
Starting his career as a delivery boy, today Hebal Kumar is a medical student in Odisha. He is currently pursuing an MBBS course at the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput.
Hebal always wanted to study medicine but his poverty was an obstacle to realising his dream. A brilliant student, Hebal secured a first division in the science stream in his Plus II exam but had to discontinue his studies for penury. He, however, kept his dream of becoming a doctor alive.
Soon, he moved to Hyderabad and offered tuition to students. At the same time, he worked as a delivery boy there. But destiny had other plans for him. Hebal appeared for NEET and cracked it. Despite the financial constraints faced by his family, he was admitted to the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput.
Hebal said that he required Rs 1 lakh for his admission to the SLNMCH but there was no help from any quarter. His villagers had urged the state government to consider Hebal’s case and grant him a scholarship, but that is yet to materialise. With no option before him, his family took a loan of Rs 85,000 from private money lenders and got another Rs 15,000 by selling turmeric cultivated by them.
Talking to OMMCOMNEWS, Hebal said, “I have been fortunate to have some good friends. Today I can stay in the college hostel and meet my expenses with the monetary help sent by my friends. I promise to return their money once I receive the government scholarship.”
Meanwhile, Sabitri Nayak, a retired matron of Cuttack Police Hospital, has helped Hebal with Rs 1 lakh. “Sabitrji has been very kind to me. She donated the money to me and said she didn’t want me to return it. However, I will return the money to her once I start earning,” Hebal told OMMCOMNEWS.
Though Hebal has been able to pursue his dreams, currently his family is in trouble as the money lenders are pestering them to return the loan amount. In such a situation, Hebal is hoping that the government would soon extend a helping hand.
