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Journalism of Courage
In a significant achievement, Chennai-based Kaustav Bauri became the first Dalit candidate to secure a rank among the top three in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG. He is one of only two SC candidates to break into the top 50 ranks in the last five years.
However, unlike the struggles faced by his father, Bauri’s caste never interfered with his academic journey. Bauri, a second-generation student, credits his strong foundation in subjects to his father’s early teachings. His father, Ranjith, a professor at IIT Madras, shared his experience overcoming obstacles to earn an engineering degree.
Ranjith said, “I grew up in an ordinary family in a small town. Both my parents were illiterates. I did all my studies in a local government school. I worked hard to obtain an engineering degree, and I remember the struggle to get admission to the famous Bengal Engineering College (now Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology – IIEST) before earning my PhD from IISC, Bangalore. These admissions and a job at IIT Madras were monumental for me, considering my background and where I come from.”
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However, Bauri did not face the same struggles. His father stated, “Because he was an excellent student from the beginning. I used to teach him till Class 10, which helped him build a strong foundation in his subjects. Hence, the Dalit factor never came into the picture in his academic life.”
Bauri attributes his success to his parents’ unwavering support and commitment. With a score of 716 out of 720, he expressed gratitude to his parents, acknowledging their hardships and determination. “In their childhood, they didn’t have many resources or exposure that I had. They faced financial problems. Despite that, they worked hard, and I am where I am because of their hard work,” he said.
Bauri’s mother, Sushmita Layak, is a senior HR professional in a Chennai-based IT firm. Rajnith mentioned that Layak also hailed from the same town (Asansol) in West Bengal and came from a slightly more educated background. “We studied together in Class 12 in the same school; we knew each other,” he said.
Bauri expressed his disbelief upon discovering that he had topped the medical entrance test. “I saw my name on the paper before I could comprehend the results. It was an overwhelming feeling as if I had exceeded my own expectations,” he said. Bauri’s two-year-long rigorous coaching and consistent study routine were crucial to his achievement. He diligently utilised every free moment to study and focused on completing NCERT textbooks for each subject as his first step. Regular practice of question papers and attending mock tests were also key aspects of his preparation.
“To solve 180 questions in 200 minutes, knowledge and practice were both crucial. That’s where two years of coaching helped,” said Bauri, emphasising the different skills and understanding required for NEET compared to board exams.
