Pune medical student’s dream comes true

Even as first year medical student Ankita Raut was writing her preliminary examinations at BJ Medical College in Pune two months ago, she was struggling hard to fight back her tears, as nearly 550 km away, her father Arun Raut, who had developed complications after undergoing a bypass surgery, was battling for his life.

On April 4, Ankita’s father suffered a massive heart attack and after a battle that lasted nearly 14 days, he passed away on April 18. “I talked to my professors about my father’s condition and what options were available to me in case something happened. It was the toughest time of my life,” recalled the 18-year-old. Her father passed away midway through exams and Ankita wrote her exams two days after the funeral.

A bright student throughout school, Ankita secured 92.6% in her secondary school certificate (SSC) exams and stood first in her MBBS terminal exams. But after the death of her father, who was the sole breadwinner, her future was uncertain.

Ankita’s family hails from Chandrapur and her father was a manager in a rural bank. Her brother Chetan is a postgraduate student, while mother Kalpana is a housewife. At present, her family is being financially supported by her maternal uncle.

“My professor suggested that I apply to a trust. It was difficult to ask for help from relatives as my father used to take care of everything,” said Ankita.

Luck and her dedication to education favoured her and Ankita found a sponsor in a Mumbai-based trust Nirav Modi Foundation that will take care of her fees, hostel, food and even books. They have promised to sponsor her masters’ deree.  “I finally have hope for the future now,” she said.