Chennai: Vetrivel’s happiness knew no bounds on Wednesday although his new status as a medical student would create severe financial burden in the coming days to his poor family living in the deep interiors of Krishnagiri district.
Son of mason Thanikamalai, Vetrivel was one among the 831 students who found entry into medical education stream on the second day of Tamil Nadu MBBS and BDS Counseling 2016.
Vetrivel’s success had turned both his father Thanikamalai and his uncle Thanikachalam emotional. Both were present at the Government Multispecialty Hospital in Omandurar Estate, where the counselling was held.. Vetrivel’s father has been toiling with masonry for years to make both ends meet. On jobless days, he doubles up as a daily wage worker to support his family which consists of 3 school going children.
“Though I am happy that Vetrivel made it to an MB BS seat, I’m in the dark about how to pay for his future education. Will any bank come forward to provide a loan to a poor man like me?” asks Thanikamalai. Uncle Thanikachalam was meeting Vetrivel’s education expenses so far, said, “I am also unsure how to raise the money for his medical education”.
With no special coaching or hardly any support from the family in his studies, Vetrivel secured 1,126 marks and is all set to become the first graduate and doctor from his family. It is the abject poverty of his people around him instils in him the urge to serve the people, especially the poor and needy.
“My father and teachers motivated me to become a doctor, since Class 8..”, says Vetrivel who aspires to become a cardiologist. Ranked third in Adhyiaman Matriculation higher secondary school, Krishangiri he is also interested in sports and games.
Shiva R who secured 1,179 marks hails from a very poor family and is finding it difficult to continue his education. Although feeling happy about securing a seat, he said that his father is bedridden for several years and his medical expenses are going to give his weak mother extra pressure. His mother works as a daily wage worker and doubles up as a housemaid in and around Chettipalayam village in Erode.
