Six students from Govandi slum in Mumbai’s eastern suburban area have set an example for children who want to accomplish their goals and dreams as they have cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) this year.
The Govandi slum is infamous for crimes and drug cases and many people avoid going to such places. Dr Zahid Khan, who formed a local association of doctors in the Govandi area, said that most of the doctors avoid coming to the area.
One of the NEET qualifiers, Jaiba Khan whose father is a doctor was among the six who cracked the exam. Another student, Saif Asif Jogle, a son of a catering services provider, has scored 591/720 in the exam.
Dr Zahid Khan said that “We have decided to motivate our own children to become not only doctors but engineer lawyers etc. Our association holds an annual function every year where we educate parents and felicitate students who score good marks in high school. We also guide them to pursue career-oriented studies”
“Six students have cleared NEET and got admission to various medical colleges. If we get good support from the government, the number of students qualifying NEET may increase in future from 6 to 18 per year” he added.
Maharashtra’s Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said “Many government schemes already exist for bright students of the slums area. Among these six students, we have already given a government scholarship to two students. We are proud of them”.
