Mangangcha

For thousands of young Indians, becoming a doctor begins with a single dream — clearing NEET. But for many students from humble backgrounds, the journey does not end with the result. The real challenge often begins after securing a medical seat. For Moirangthem R. S. from Imphal, the dream of wearing a doctor’s coat came with years of struggle, sacrifice, and determination.

Growing up in a family with limited means, Moirangthem saw his father work as a bus driver and his brother earn a living by driving an ambulance. Their lives were built on hard work, but expensive coaching and medical education were always difficult to afford.

When he began preparing for NEET, he joined a free residential coaching programme in Pune. After a year of intense preparation, he missed an MBBS seat by just three marks. It was a moment that could have ended his dream.

Instead, he chose to continue. Returning home, Moirangthem prepared on his own using free online resources. Without expensive coaching or a structured classroom, he relied on discipline, patience, and the encouragement of his family.

His perseverance paid off. On his second attempt, he cleared NEET and secured admission to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, where he is now pursuing MBBS as part of the 2023 batch.

However, entering medical college brought another struggle. The cost of books, hostel, examinations, and daily academic needs placed a heavy burden on his family. At one point, his aunt sold her gold jewellery to support his admission expenses. Friends helped him by contributing towards books and study materials.

For many students like Moirangthem, the dream of becoming a doctor is not only a test of ability but also a test of circumstances.

Support through the GSK Scholars Programme, implemented in partnership with Buddy4Study and Foundation For Excellence (FFE), became a turning point for him and many others. Today, 564 medical scholars across 23 states are receiving assistance to continue their medical education.

“After receiving confirmation of the scholarship, my parents felt a huge sense of relief. They were no longer worried about the financial pressure, and I could focus fully on my studies,” says Moirangthem.
His story reflects a larger reality — building a strong healthcare system is not only about increasing the number of medical seats, but also ensuring that deserving students can complete their journey.

Today, Moirangthem dreams of specialising in cardiology and serving people in his home state of Manipur. For him, becoming a doctor was never just about clearing an examination. It was about finding the strength to keep moving forward when the path was difficult.