Pune auto driver’s son clears NEET: ‘Want to help as many people as possible’

This was Raj Damdhar’s second attempt after he finished his schooling from Dhankawadi in the Marathi medium.

Raj approached the Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy on FC Road for a scholarship last year. The coaching centre took a deposit of Rs 50,000 and promised to refund it if he cleared the exam. (Express Photo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

When Raj Damdhar was around five years old, his mother had a severe attack of pneumonia. Her husband, an autorickshaw driver in Pune, did not have many resources but her doctor supported them. After a difficult battle in the hospital, she survived. The doctor made a deep impression on the Ambegaon-based family.

“I do not remember much but I grew up hearing everyone bless that doctor for saving my mother’s life. That is why I wanted to be a doctor,” said the 19-year-old Raj, who cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and virtually secured a seat in a reputed government medical college with a score of 607.

This was Damdhar’s second attempt after he finished his schooling from Dhankawadi in the Marathi medium. His father, Gajanan Damdhar, holds a B Sc degree and wanted to be a teacher but “that did not happen due to financial constraints”. He came to Pune from Eklara village of Buldhana district before Raj’s birth in search of job opportunities and became an autorickshaw driver.

“I hope to be able to help as many people as possible,” said Raj at an event organised on Friday by his coaching centre to felicitate outstanding students.

“Both my sons were always brilliant and hard-working but I was warned by their school teachers to not let our financial situation get in the way of their dreams,” said Raj’s mother, Pramila.

Raj approached the Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy on FC Road for a scholarship last year. The coaching centre took a deposit of Rs 50,000 and promised to refund it if he cleared the exam.

On Friday, the coaching centre returned the deposit and announced that it will bear his medical college fees as well. “Economic situations should not be a hindrance to deserving students who want to fulfil their dreams,” said Abhang Prabhu.

Story continues below this ad

The coaching centre also announced three scholarships covering full medical fees and invited applications from meritorious girls who cleared NEET this year.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
NEET 2023