Young student got financial help from pensioner woman

The remarkable journey of Hebal Pradhan, a determined tribal youth from Kandhamal district, Odisha, has garnered attention far and wide. He aspires to pursue an MBBS degree and successfully cleared the NEET exam last year, securing admission to Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital.

However, financial constraints loom over his dream, as neither Hebal nor his parents possess the means to cover the required expenses, which stand at Rs 85 thousand more than what they’ve managed to gather. Hebal had earlier appealed to the government for assistance under a scheme, a request filed in October last year but with no success until now.

A glimmer of hope has now surfaced in Hebal’s life, courtesy of Krantikari Nayak, MAT Assistant of Police Hospital in Cuttack. Mrs. Sabitri Nayak, moved by Hebal’s plight, has decided to contribute Rs 1 lakh from her pension to support the aspiring medical student.

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Upon learning about Hebal’s situation, Mrs. Nayak promptly reached out to his family, expressing her desire to help and ensuring financial aid from her pension.

“I conveyed my wish to help Hebal to my son and wife, and my entire family is overjoyed with this decision,” shared Mrs. Nayak.

Her son has facilitated the transfer of Rs 1 lakh to assist the young aspirant. Mrs. Nayak has received a heartfelt thank-you letter from Hebal and his family.

Hebal’s journey is a testament to his resilience. In 2020, after completing his 12th studies, he returned home during the Covid-19 pandemic and contributed to his family’s farming efforts. In 2021, seeking financial support, he worked as an Enterprise Boy for an e-commerce company in Hyderabad, earning 10,000 to 13,000 rupees monthly.

Despite facing financial challenges, he applied to the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in 2022. However, due to financial constraints, he couldn’t continue the course, leading him to work as a frost boy again. He managed to appear for the NEET exam with hope.

Hebal’s father works as a teacher, earning 7,000 rupees monthly, while his mother is a homemaker. His siblings are also pursuing their education. Although the family had arranged fees through a loan, they still fell short by Rs 85 thousand.

Hebal’s plea to the government went unanswered, emphasizing the pressing need for effective assistance from relevant authorities. Mrs. Nayak’s compassionate gesture now serves as a beacon of hope in Hebal’s journey to fulfill his dreams, raising questions about the efficacy of government support systems.