For them, it's a chance of a lifetime

BANGALORE: Medicine is no longer the domain of the elite. A dream, passion and hard work are enough to get a seat in a medical college.
"Wearing white aprons, being called doctors, walking in the BMC campus -- there's nothing more I can ask for from life. When I got a seat in BMC, there were celeberations at home. All my relatives came to Bangalore on the first day of college," said Mohammed Nadeem, a farmer's son from Arsikere.
There are also students like Manjunatha Negigoudara from Kunchur, Davanagere, who struggled to earn money for food."I used to sell idlis for 50 paise on the streets. I would get Rs 20-30 each day. Till I was in Class IV, we did not have food at home. I learnt while earning," he said.
Some walked for kilometres to reach school. "There were no schools in a 2-km radius of my house. I used to walk to the neighbouring school every day till Class VII. I joined a boarding school after that. Even today, there is no medical facility within 7km of my neighblurhood," said Kaushik N, from Hosabeedu, Shimoga.
Thajri Fathima C M had a different story to narrate. "From my community, not many girls opt for further studies. Many of my frineds got married at an early age. I was determined to study and wanted to take up a course I would not drop in between. My relatives knew my ambition and did not stop me from achieving it. Some objected when I got admission in Bangalore. But I did not want to lose this opportunity," she said.
Every step is a challenge for them. Many found it difficult when they shifted from Kannada medium schools after Class X. Now, they are worried about their shift to the city from their remote villages. "We did not have the exposure or opportunities that a city kid would have got. When we go out and mingle with others, we feel awkward," said Tanushri M M, from Hippli estate, who is chasing her childhood dream.
It may be because their seats are so hard-earned that most of them dream of going back to their villages and starting hospitals. "There is a general perception among the public that government hospitals are not good. I want to change this attitude and bring them back their glory," said Yashas R from Dharmasthala.
Money is not everything. Service to humanity is important and that's why we are here, they echoed.
DIRECTOR SPEAKS
Subhas says anybody can study this course today with improvements in the education system. "The hostels were not upgraded with admissions. Earlier, there were more students from Bangalore, but now many of our students come from places outside the city. There are 88 rooms in the hostel for the boys, which can accommodate two or three beds each. A new hostel for girls will be completed soon."