Berhampur: An 18-year-old disabled girl, who hails from Gajapati district, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 16 in persons with benchmark disability category in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) (UG), the result of which was declared recently.Dusi Vaishnavi, daughter of an ex-Army man, D Someswar Rao, secured a total of 592 out of 720 marks with 99.34 percentile, cracking NEET (UG) in her first attempt.“I want to take admission at AIIMS Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh,” said Vaishnavi, who hails from Guranthi block of Gajapati district, but currently resides at Patpatnama in the neighbouring state.She lost her right foot in a road accident at the age of six, and walks with the help of an artificial limb. Her disabilities, however, did not deter her from excelling in her studies. In Class X and XII, she secured 96.5% and 93.4% in ICSE and CBSE exams, respectively.“I wanted to become a doctor since my childhood. With this aim, I started my preparation for the NEET after Class X. I did better in the first NEET. After the cancellation of the first exam, I felt depressed,” she said, adding he parents and teachers have constantly guided her.Her father said he wanted her to become a good doctor and serve poor people.
