Chennai: Sathish Kumar of Kallakurichi, Villupuram, who was present on day 4 of MBBS counselling, has no father and his mother is a casual labourer. He is one among the 9,401 first time graduates who applied for the counselling.
Having depended solely on his mother's salary, Sathish feels it is his responsibility now to take care of his mother and younger brothers — one in class XI and the other in XII. “I hope to get admission into Kilpauk Medical College,” said the youngster, whose community rank was 83 and general rank 2165. His cut off was 196.25.
“My mother E. Periamma was unable to accompany me for counseling, and so my neighbor did instead,” he said. Dinesh Kumar, of Pollachi, studied at Palaniammal Higher Secondary School. The son of a construction worker, Dinesh is very happy to have reached this far.
“Though my father Sundar Raj's salary was enough to meet our needs, I worked extra hard as I was aware of his struggles to keep us happy,” he said. Having ranked 1740 with a cut off of 196.75, Dinesh hopes to become a cardiologist. “I hope to get into any Government Medical College in any part of the state. I woud love to stay in a hostel,” he added. “I am extremely happy with his dedication. My dream is for him to become a good doctor,” said his father.
Seventeen-year-old E. Mohana, who got a seat in Karpaga Vinayaga College, Chennai, is the daughter of an agricultural worker in Namakkal district. Having studied in Sri Vidya Bharathi School, she ranked 1794, with a cut off of 196.75.
“I am the only child and it is my wish to make my parents' dreams come true,” she said.
Students heave a sigh of relief after Neet affair
The initial announcement for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (Neet) to be held this year, created a lot of stress, especially among MBBS aspirants and their parents.
C. Indumathy, daughter of a businessman, was in tears when she initially heard that Neet was made mandatory and feared being unable to secure a seat in a medical college at all. Similar was the story for many others, who attended the counselling.
“My parents tried to encourage me when they heard about the Neet. I was terribly scared at the mere thought of having to give it. It's a totally new concept. I gave Neet-I and found it difficult,” said the young girl from Salem, who studied at Bharathi Vidya Mandir Matriculation Higher Secondary School. She is on the waitlist for ESIC, Chennai.
Judith Joseph of Green Park School, Namakkal ranked 1820 with a cut off of 196.5. “I was shocked when Neet was announced. Hoping to get into CMC, Vellore, I had no option but to give NEET-I. It was slightly difficult and I am now preparing for Neet-II,” she said.
“We had no other option as we know that Neet is not only unfair to our daughter but to many other MBBS aspirants around the country,” said her father Dr Peter Joseph, a Neurologist, who runs his own private hospital in Madurai.
Ashwin Anto, of Pudukkottai, however, is in favor of Neet. Having studied at Laurel Higher Secondary School, he ranked 2047 with a cut off of 196.5 and is aspiring to become a cardiologist.
