SAMBALPUR: There are formidable odds and then there is 20-year-old Priyanka Behera who doesn’t allow any of those to stop her. Battling skeletal problems that have affected her physical development, restricting her height to 4 feet and 2 inches, Priyanka of Bargaon village under Maneswar block in Sambalpur district has surmounted the difficulties to take the first steps to realise her dream of becoming a doctor. What’s more, she has also battled immense financial difficulties along the way.
Priyanka has cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and been selected for admission to the MBBS course at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla. She is expected to complete the admission process in November.
Priyanka lost her father, Janmajaya Behera, who worked as a mason, shortly after she completed her Plus Two examination. Her mother, Gouri, had no regular source of income and started selling vegetables to support the family and continue her daughter’s education.
“There was a time when we did not even have money to buy books,” Priyanka said. Despite the setbacks, Priyanka kept nurturing her childhood ambition to pursue medicine. Her ambition took root during her school days at Bargaon. She said the influence of noted gynaecologist and former legislator, Late Dr Raseswari Panigrahi, who also hails from Bargaon, inspired her to pursue the dream.
After her father’s death, the cost of coaching and study materials for NEET became a major challenge. Priyanka approached the Sambalpur district administration seeking financial assistance for her preparation.
The social security department extended support. On the initiative of district social security officer Sourav Pani, the department provided Rs 24,000 to Priyanka for her NEET preparation last year.
Priyanka deposited Rs 37,000 during the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination-related admission process. However, arranging around `70,000 required for her VIMSAR admission remains a challenge for her mother, who continues to depend on vegetable vending for their livelihood.
Priyanka said she has faced taunts because of her height, but chosen not to get bogged down. “I have learnt over time not to let such comments affect me and remain focused on my goals.” Priyanka said she would approach the district administration for assistance to meet the admission expenses.
Priyanka has her sights firmly set on completing MBBS and postgraduate studies. Her story of determination, backed by her mother’s perseverance and timely institutional support, has given the difficult struggle the promise of a new beginning. Incidentally, her younger sister, who is in school, is dealing with a similar medical condition.