How a teen construction worker from Odisha earned an MBBS seat through grit and determination

From working as a construction labourer in Bengaluru to fund his education to securing an MBBS seat at MKCG Medical College in Berhampur, Odisha, 19-year-old Subham Sabar has moved a step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor. He cleared NEET-UG in his first attempt this year, achieving a rank of 18,212 in the ST category.

Subham comes from Mudulidiha, a remote village near Banapur in Khurda district. To pay for his coaching and admission, he worked in Karnataka. After appearing for NEET-UG, he immediately returned to his work site.

"I didn't want to sit idle after the exam. I decided to earn some money during that period," he said.

On June 14, he received a call from his coaching teacher informing him of his rank and returned to Berhampur.

"Besides repaying dues of the coaching centre, the money I earned in Bengaluru helped me secure admission in the medical college. Since childhood, I aspired to become a doctor to serve the poor and worked hard to achieve that dream," Subham said.

His father, Sahadeb Sabar, a farmer, hopes the government will step in to support his son’s medical education.

"He is hard working and meritorious. Despite our limited means, we did not discourage him from pursuing higher studies," said Sahadeb.

[With TOI inputs]