Berhampur: This Kandhamal family’s journey from a poverty-stricken household to five seats in medical colleges is a proof that perseverance can sometimes triumph over the toughest odds.At a dilapidated house in a remote village of Kandhamal’s Daringbadi block, daily-wage earners Bursi (73) and Anusaya Pradhan (62) are celebrating an extraordinary achievement — four of their children and a niece are now pursuing MBBS degrees at govt medical colleges across Odisha, turning the family’s story into one of resilience and determination.The couple’s eldest son Bibhisan Pradhan joined Sri Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital, Koraput, in 2021. Last year, daughter Monalisa secured admission to the same institution. This year brought fresh reasons to cheer as son Asariya enrolled at Shaheed Rindo Majhi Medical College and Hospital, Bhawanipatna, while daughter Sunemi joined Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital, Balangir.Adding to the family’s success story, their niece Minakhi Pradhan, the daughter of Bursi’s younger brother and a member of the same household, also cracked NEET this year and secured admission to Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, Puri.Bursi, who has seven children, spent years working as a daily-wage worker, including a stint in Kerala, to support his family and fund his children’s education. Ill health eventually forced him to return home. Now, the family is surviving with limited means.The road to medical college was far from easy. Monalisa worked at a garment shop in Berhampur while preparing for NEET and helping support her elder brother’s studies. Her efforts paid off when she secured a medical seat last year with financial assistance from a doctor at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.Inspired by their elder siblings, Asariya and Sunemi began preparing for NEET after completing Plus II. They rented a small house in Berhampur and studied together. Remarkably, both cleared the highly competitive examination without formal coaching. “Our elder brother and sister motivated and guided us throughout the preparation,” said Asariya, who cracked NEET in his first attempt.While pride fills the household, financial worries persist. “We are happy that four of our children and a niece are studying medicine, but we do not know how we will support their education in the coming years,” said Anusaya, a farm worker. The family relied on loans to meet admission expenses this year.Hope, however, is on the horizon. Bibhisan, who is currently completing his internship, is expected to help support his younger siblings’ education while also assisting the family in repaying its debts.
