Phulbani, Sept 15: From a dilapidated hut with mud-and-wood walls to medical college classrooms, the journey of five siblings from Kandhamal’s remote Daringbadi block is a remarkable story of poverty, sacrifice and determination.
Bursi Pradhan, a resident of Sikabadi village, and his wife Anusaya raised seven children despite severe financial hardship. Their small house, covered with an asbestos roof, is in poor condition, with gaps that allow sunlight and the open sky to be seen from inside.
With barely enough money to meet their daily needs, educating seven children seemed like a daunting challenge. Determined to secure a better future for them, Bursi left his village and travelled to Kerala to work as a migrant labourer. Whatever he earned was used to support his children’s education.
His sacrifices have now begun to bear fruit.
Their eldest son, Bibhishan Pradhan, cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) four years ago and secured admission to Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput. He has completed his medical studies and is currently undergoing internship.
His younger sister, Monalisa Pradhan, cleared NEET last year and is pursuing her second year of medical studies at the same college.
The family’s remarkable achievement continued this year, with two more siblings, Sunemi Pradhan and Esariya Pradhan, clearing NEET and securing admission to medical colleges.
Another member of the extended family, Meenakshi, daughter of Bursi’s younger brother Jisay Pradhan, also cleared NEET this year and qualified to pursue medical education.
Despite their financial difficulties, the siblings never gave up on their dream of becoming doctors. Even after securing admission to medical colleges, three of them continue to help their parents with household chores and cattle grazing whenever they are home, while studying whenever they get the time.
The family’s livelihood largely depends on maize and turmeric cultivation. With limited income, Bursi and Anusaya often survive on simple meals of pakhala rice, salt, chilli and onion, prioritising their children’s education over their own needs.
The cost of medical education has also placed a heavy burden on the family. They reportedly sold cattle and goats to meet admission-related expenses.
Now over 70 and unable to work as before, Bursi remains worried about how he will finance his children’s education until they complete their studies. The family hopes for government assistance to help meet the mounting expenses.
For a poor family in one of Kandhamal’s remote areas, having five members pursue medical education is an extraordinary achievement. Their story stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, parental sacrifice and the determination to rise above poverty.
