The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Poverty shatters budding medico’s dreams

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Saturday, Jan 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Poverty shatters budding medico’s dreams

K.M. Dayashankar

Ravi Kumar drops out of medicine course, returns to work in his fields

— Photo: R. Raju

helpless: Bhukya Ravi Kumar working in his fields in Lingannapet village of Karimnagar district. –

GAMBHIRAOPET (KARIMNAGAR DT): A brilliant tribal student, who received the Prathiba Puraskar award from Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and secured a seat in medicine is now unable to continue his education due to abject poverty.

This boy secured admission in People’s Education Society (PES) medical college in Kuppam of Chittoor district in September 2007, but returned to his native village some 20 days ago and IS working in his half acre agricultural land and helping his aged parents. Bhukya Ravi Kumar, a resident of tribal dominated Lingannapet village of Gambhiraopet mandal, secured 946 marks in Intermediate examination in 2005 and received Prathiba Puraskar award from the Government. A private educational institute in Hyderabad offered free long-term coaching for EAMCET and Ravi secured 9,268 rank and got a free seat in BDS.

But, he wanted to become a cardiologist and did not join BDS. He again prepared for the examination with the assistance provided by a college in Karimnagar town and secured 6,411 rank. He was offered a free seat in PES college in Kuppam. His brothers, who are also agricultural labourers, managed to pay the minimum admission fee to join the college.

For two months, he stayed in his friends rooms and hostel in Kuppam. As it was difficult to have two square meals and also purchase books, he returned to his village. He intends to pursue his study if some philanthropists come forward to help him.

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