Nagpur: In a remarkable achievement from the region where even roads and basic healthcare remain a challenge, eight students from the remote villages of Gadchiroli district have secured admission to MBBS courses in medical colleges across Maharashtra.The students were trained at Loksadhana Centre for Excellence in Higher Studies, an initiative of Lok Biradari Prakalp Ashram School at Hemalkasa, founded by Magsaysay Award-winning social activist Dr Prakash Amte. The students have earned seats in medical colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule, Solapur and Kudal in Sindhudurg district.The achievement marks a major milestone for the centre, which was established in 2022 to support students from remote and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing professional education. In just four years, the project has recorded significant success, with all beneficiaries from the latest batch securing admission to MBBS course.The first batch graduated in 2024, with one student securing admission to MBBS course. The following year, two students secured MBBS seats, while four opted for BDS and four girls enrolled in BSc Nursing courses. One of the students secured admission to the BSc Nursing programme at AIIMS Bhopal.According to Praveen Ahire, project in charge at Hemalkasa, the eight students admitted to MBBS courses this year include four from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, two from Scheduled Castes (SC), one from the (Vimukta Jati-A, also called Denotified Tribes-A) category and one from the OBC category. All are first-generation learners from modest socio-economic backgrounds.The Loksadhana Centre provides free National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) coaching, academic guidance and mentoring, helping talented students overcome educational and geographical barriers to pursue medical careers.Among the successful candidates is Rupesh Raju Tado from Bhatpar village in Bhamragad taluka, a remote settlement lacking proper road connectivity and mobile network access. Despite these challenges, he secured admission to HBT & Dr RN Cooper Medical College in Mumbai.“His achievement is a matter of pride and inspiration for the entire region,” Ahire said.Parag Namdev Chaudhary from Adapalli Chak in Mulchera has secured admission to BJ Medical College, Pune, while Om Sanjay Sidam from Battegaon in Kurkheda will study at Govt Medical College, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Anjali Ramesh Kandela and Rajesh Sameya Jadi, both from Chintarevla village in Sironcha taluka, have secured admission to Shri Bhausaheb Hire Medical College, Dhule.Krishnaveni Satyam Veldi from Dechali in Aheri has secured admission to Ashwini Rural Medical College, Solapur, while Karan Lachhiram Ajmera from Yechli in Bhamragad and Tushar Lomesh Meshram from Chandala village in Gadchiroli will pursue their medical education at Sindhudurg Shikshan Prasarak Mandal Medical College in Kudal.The students said they aspire to return to Gadchiroli after completing their medical education and serve communities where healthcare remains difficult to access.“Coming from a remote village where even basic healthcare facilities are scarce, becoming a doctor is more than a personal achievement,” said Rupesh.“It is an opportunity to give back to the community where I grew up. After completing my MBBS and gaining experience, I want to return to Gadchiroli and provide quality healthcare in remote tribal areas. I hope our success encourages other children from such villages to dream bigger. I am grateful to the Lok Biradari Project and Dr Amte for making this possible,” he said.
