Grit & glory: Ajmer girl’s journey from a school dropout to medical student

Jaipur: Megha Bairwa’s journey from being a school dropout to securing a medical seat at Govt Dausa Medical College is a powerful testament to her resilience and determination. At 22, Megha, a BSc graduate from Savitri Govt College in Ajmer, overcame immense personal and financial challenges to achieve what once seemed impossible.The youngest of three sisters, Megha was raised in a single-room rented house in Ganj, Ajmer. Her life was anything but easy—balancing schoolwork with menial jobs and later offering tuitions to support her family. With her mother working as domestic help in multiple households, the focus was never on education but on survival. The loss of her father when she was just 10 years old plunged the family into even deeper poverty, making the idea of pursuing higher education seem like a distant dream.“I scored 90% in Class X and 80% in Class XII. My aim was to apply for a BA as a non-regular student and earn money to support my elder sisters' marriages. My teachers encouraged me to pursue a BSc because I was good at science. When I was in my final year, they suggested I try for NEET, but I initially refused, thinking it was beyond my social and financial capability,” Megha shared, her voice tinged with the weight of her past struggles.It was her teacher, Sunil Jose, who has been guiding her since Class X, who finally convinced her to take the leap. Under his NGO, Udaan, which is supported by govt doctors from JLN (Civil) Hospital and railway employees, Megha found the guidance and support she needed to prepare for the NEET exam."I started preparing for NEET last year. The assistance in the form of coaching by teachers and books helped me crack the exam. When the results came out, I was in shock—I couldn’t believe it for days. I kept it a secret until I was certain I had secured my place in college," Megha recounted, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and pride. But even after clearing the exam, the challenges didn't end. The fee of Rs 66,990 was a daunting obstacle that was overcome only through crowdfunding efforts. "Raising three daughters as a single mother in a society like ours is challenging," Megha admitted. Her fear of social shaming if she failed the exam was so intense that she didn’t disclose she was appearing for it. She is relieved that the pressure of marriage from the relatives for the past five years can be resisted until she becomes a doctor.