Dalit and backward class girl students of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Marihan achieved historic success in the medical entrance examination on the strength of free education and coaching.
Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh: 12 Dalit and backward class girl students of a government residential school located in the remote Marihan area of Mirzapur district have created a new history in the direction of education in the region by passing the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The success of these girl students has been described as a “milestone” by many sections of the society.
According to officials, a total of 25 girl students from Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Marihan had appeared for the NEET-UG examination, the results of which were declared on June 14. Out of these, 12 girl students achieved success. The successful students include Shweta Pal, Kumari Pooja Ranjan, Princy, Malti, Komal Kumari, Lakshmi, Anuradha, Komal, Lakshmi, Sabhya Prajapati, Deepti Gupta and Pooja Sonkar. All of them come from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC).
Result of hard work and school’s support
Successful student Shweta Pal said, “Our teachers and wardens always motivated us to focus on studies. Our chemistry teacher Arvind Sir and biology teacher Sudhir Sir were always available for guidance. The school also had the facility of indoor and outdoor games for mental refreshment.”
Shweta’s father Hira Lal also praised the school and said, “The arrangements of the school and hostel were very good. The teachers were very supportive and encouraging.”
Ramesh Ranjan, father of another student Pooja Ranjan, said that his daughter passed the exam in the very first attempt. He said, “Pooja earlier studied in Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Sonbhadra, but came to Marihan for Class 11 and 12. She scored 81% marks in the UP Board. She used to study 16 to 18 hours a day — 6 hours in school, 5 hours in coaching and 6-7 hours in self-study.”
Officials and leaders congratulated
The success of these students has caught the attention of senior officials and leaders of the state. Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun congratulated these students. Describing it as a “great success”, he said, “After a few years, these daughters will become doctors and save people’s lives. We will ensure that there is no hindrance in their scholarship.”
Mirzapur District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan said, “This is a historic achievement for the region. Sarvodaya Vidyalaya of Marihan has emerged as a role model for government schools. It is a residential school where girl students have been staying and studying for two years or more. They were given coaching for NEET and JEE along with regular education. Accommodation, food and studies — everything was free.”
District Social Welfare Officer Trinetra Singh said, “Sarvodaya Vidyalaya of Marihan has been developed as a centre of excellence. The deputy director and I personally monitored the preparation and facilities of these girl students. They were provided books, coaching, food, sports and all other necessary resources.”
Success through public-private partnership
Director of Social Welfare Department Kumar Prashant said that the centre of excellence initiative at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya of Marihan is being run in collaboration with Ex-Navodaya Foundation, Varanasi and Tata AIG. Under this, 39 girl students were given free coaching for NEET and JEE, out of which 26 registered for NEET, 25 took the exam and 12 were successful.
At present, the Social Welfare Department runs about 100 Sarvodaya Vidyalaya residential complexes in Uttar Pradesh, which provide free quality education and coaching for competitive examinations to students from economically weaker and disadvantaged communities from class 6 to 12. These institutions are opening new doors of bright future for the children of these communities.
Courtesy: Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News