This is a first-hand story told directly by the girl. I was part of the audience, and it literally moved me to tears to hear what her mother told her when she encouraged her to continue her studies and believed that the Almighty would reward her hard work.
Background
India is a country full of festivals and we were celebrating the festival of Makara Sankranti, which marks the end of the winter season as the sun starts moving northwards. Almost all states of India celebrate this festival with various cultural activities and welcome the brighter season with glee and joy. Our headquarters was celebrating the occasion differently--celebrating the day as the 7th anniversary of the Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital (https://www.ssssmh.org/), a unique hospital offering all services free of charge including outpatient consultations, medication, in-patient hospitalization, and even surgeries free of charge to the beneficiaries.
However, over the years, it was noticed that rural India lacks healthcare professionals who, after spending millions of rupees on their studies, want to move to greener pastures (cities, where patients' paying capacity is more) to earn back and make a better life. Hardly any doctor would want to go to a village and serve the rural poor. This observation led to an astounding resolve to start the world's first-ever private medical college, which will provide medical education free of charge (Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research: https://smsimsr.org/), including MBBS studies.
So, last year, the group ventured to launch the medical college, and the protagonist of this story is a student of the MBBS course in the college.
She was speaking on the occasion of this celebration as a beneficiary and how her journey had been with the institute.
Her Story
She mentioned that she came from a rural background and her parents were daily wagers. She completed her primary education in the local village school but had to travel miles for her secondary education. But when it came to appearing for the entrance, the family had to think twice because availing of dedicated coaching meant a huge amount of money.
This is where the mother jumped in--she sold her pair of earrings (her only jewelry) and prompted the girl to put in her best efforts. The girl was upset about making her mother sell her precious possessions, but her mother replied lovingly: "Dear one, you are my gold; I don't need anything else!"
Can you imagine the love and sense of sacrifice the mothers have to make their children grow in life?
The girl scored well in the national entrance exam. However, medical education, like everywhere else, is a pricy affair. But this is where the Almighty had already heard and answered their prayers and rewarded their efforts. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research offers all services free of charge including the hostel fee, daily needs, food, etc. The family chose the college and is happy seeing their daughter on her way to becoming a doctor and her future vision: "I want to go back to my village and serve the people there and also help more girls who have a dream like me."
I leave it to you to measure the magnitude of this work and the impact it will have on the lives of many, offering opportunities, hope, solace, and means to their dreams come true!
Posted 15 Jan 2025
