A ‘bandhan’ brings poor MBBS students closer to their dreams

Bhubaneswar: Biplab Kumar Samal defied poverty to crack NEET. A resident of Ghadiamal village in Kendrapada district, Samal’s father is a migrant worker in a textile mill in Gujarat. It was a challenge for him to arrange funds for the admission fee.“I have two sisters at home. My father’s salary gets exhausted by the end of the month. Funding my education was a challenge for my family,” said Samal, who had given up all hope of arranging around Rs 1.2 lakh per annum, which includes admission fee, hostel and food charges and miscellaneous expenses.When all seemed lost, a businessman came forward to fund his education. Atut Bandhan, a non-profit, heard about Samal’s situation and got in a touch with the businessman, who offered to help. Today, Samal is an intern at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital, Balasore, having completed his MBBS course.Samal is one example of how Atut Bandhan is quietly reshaping lives and helping students from economically poor backgrounds live their dreams of becoming doctors. What started with four students in 2022 has now grown to 300 in just four years, 67 of whom have cleared MBBS.“On May 15, 2022, I decided to sponsor the study of an MBBS student belonging to a humble background,” said Pritish Basa, founder of the initiative. Two years back on that day, his 38-year-old son, who was suffering from seizure, had passed away. In his memory, Basa decided to sponsor the education of an MBBS student.“While talking to a student at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, the poor student suggested that I sponsor the study of another one who was poorer than him. This opened my eyes and I decided to connect more people to support these poor students,” Basa added.On Sunday, these students and donors came together for a get-together where many shared their stories. Atut Bandhan has around 160 members, who are also donors. Every year, they add more donors or mentors. The members help students get in touch with the mentors.Talking about the initiative, Basa said teachers in medical colleges know Atut Bandhan members. They inform students who come from financially weak backgrounds about the philanthropic initiative. Through Atut Bandhan, students get the donors. Seniors also inform their juniors about the initiative.Once a student is identified requiring financial help, Atut Bandhan members conduct an inquiry about the financial condition, during which they also visit the student’s home. Once satisfied, they suggest a mentor to support the student.“Many people are contacting us to take care of the education expenses of MBBS students. Mentors stay connected with students like their guardian. A strong bonding has developed between them. The mentors call the students their sons and daughters,” said Basa.Bhubaneswar: Biplab Kumar Samal defied poverty to crack NEET. A resident of Ghadiamal village in Kendrapada district, Samal’s father is a migrant worker in a textile mill in Gujarat. It was a challenge for him to arrange funds for the admission fee.“I have two sisters at home. My father’s salary gets exhausted by the end of the month. Funding my education was a challenge for my family,” said Samal, who had given up all hope of arranging around Rs 1.2 lakh per annum, which includes admission fee, hostel and food charges and miscellaneous expenses.When all seemed lost, a businessman came forward to fund his education. Atut Bandhan, a non-profit, heard about Samal’s situation and got in a touch with the businessman, who offered to help. Today, Samal is an intern at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital, Balasore, having completed his MBBS course.Samal is one example of how Atut Bandhan is quietly reshaping lives and helping students from economically poor backgrounds live their dreams of becoming doctors. What started with four students in 2022 has now grown to 300 in just four years, 67 of whom have cleared MBBS.“On May 15, 2022, I decided to sponsor the study of an MBBS student belonging to a humble background,” said Pritish Basa, founder of the initiative. Two years back on that day, his 38-year-old son, who was suffering from seizure, had passed away. In his memory, Basa decided to sponsor the education of an MBBS student.“While talking to a student at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, the poor student suggested that I sponsor the study of another one who was poorer than him. This opened my eyes and I decided to connect more people to support these poor students,” Basa added.On Sunday, these students and donors came together for a get-together where many shared their stories. Atut Bandhan has around 160 members, who are also donors. Every year, they add more donors or mentors. The members help students get in touch with the mentors.Talking about the initiative, Basa said teachers in medical colleges know Atut Bandhan members. They inform students who come from financially weak backgrounds about the philanthropic initiative. Through Atut Bandhan, students get the donors. Seniors also inform their juniors about the initiative.Once a student is identified requiring financial help, Atut Bandhan members conduct an inquiry about the financial condition, during which they also visit the student’s home. Once satisfied, they suggest a mentor to support the student.“Many people are contacting us to take care of the education expenses of MBBS students. Mentors stay connected with students like their guardian. A strong bonding has developed between them. The mentors call the students their sons and daughters,” said Basa.