Karnataka’s Naveen Kumar has secured 634 marks out of 720 in this year’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a Medical entrance examination that is considered the toughest among all.
A native of Gangavathi in Koppal district, Kumar has registered an All India rank (AIR) of 7197 and scored 100 per cent in his 2nd PUC examinations in the PCMB stream.
19-year-old Kumar, who lost both his parents at a very young age, aspires to become a doctor. He pursued his 1st and 2nd PUC integrated with NEET syllabus from Shaheen Group of Institutions in Bidar and cleared the medical entrance examinations in first attempt.
His education was sponsored by Dr. Nagraj, Mr venkatesh (Jewellery shop owner), Mr Jagadish Hiremath (Teacher), along with Shaheen Group of Institutions, who waved off half of his fees expenses.
At present, Kumar stays at Mr Srinivas’s home, who takes care and helps him as a father.
Talking to THG, Dr. Nagraj said, “During summer vacations, when all kids used to enjoy, Naveen used to come home and work in small shops. With that money he used to take care of his life’s expenses.”
Kumar studied in Desai Public School, which gives free education, along with hostel facility to poor children.
“After completing his 10th, Naveen worked at a small jewelry shop and upon seeing the results of 96%, the shop owner was surprised that such a poor guy scored excellent marks. He consulted one of the teachers and we decided to sponsor his education.”
Hailing from Koppal district, Dr. Nagraj is currently pursuing his MD Paediatrics in Orissa. He completed his MBBS in Bangalore Medical College.
“I too studied from Shaheen College, my education was sponsored too. Therefore, I also want to help other students come up.”
Dr. Nagraj has sponsored many students education and Naveen is his fourth student.
“We have a small committee and after collecting money, we admitted him to the institution. Naveen went to the college with only a single pair of dress,” he added.
Naveen Kumar has a 17-year-old younger sister who is pursuing her 1st PUC.
“Usually people give their first stipend money to Temple or poor people but I kept that money for his education.”
“Naveen has secured a ranking below 500 in Karnataka. He doesn’t have anything, no mother, no father to help. But his determination to success in life made him to win,” Dr. Nagraj said.
Kumar was in 5th class when his father passed away and 7th when his mother died.
“For Naveen, I became his elder brother. I used to attend his parents teachers meet every month. Apparently, I became his parent. That’s how I’m connected to him. So helping him is not sponsorship, it’s like helping my own brother. After his counseling, we’ll get him admitted in a good college,” the doctor said.
When people are at peak of building their career, 28-year-old Dr. Nagraj has been relentlessly helping students to get them educated.
