SAMBALPUR: A 64-year-old man has entered the MBBS course this year at the government-run Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) in Burla.
Jaya Kishore Pradhan from Attabira in Bargarh district, a retired bank employee, said he wanted to embark on a new career and felt that it was never too late to do something he enjoyed.
Pradhan, who retired as deputy director of the State Bank of India, said: “I appeared for the medical entrance exam after completing my I.Sc (Intermediate in Science) but couldn’t figure it out then. Later, I got a degree in physics and joined Attabita ME School as a teacher for a year. Subsequently, I joined the Indian Bank and then the State Bank of India in 1983. However, I never gave up my dream of going into medicine, ”he said.
“I prepared for NEET after retiring in 2016. This time I took the exam and qualified. After training as a doctor, I want to provide free medical treatment to the poor, ”said Pradhan, who also has physical problems.
Pradhan further said that a 2018 Supreme Court decision to allow students over the age of 25 to apply for NEET had helped him secure admission to Vimsar.
Vimsar Dean and Director Brajamohan Mishra said: “There is no upper age limit for admission to the MBBS course. The candidate will attend classes for this session, ”he said, adding that Pradhan is the oldest person to enter the MBBS course.
“I had even planned to quit my job and be admitted to MBBS. But we were five brothers and my family responsibilities did not allow me to leave my job at that time, ”said Pradhan.
Rajesh Agrawal, a social worker from Attabira, said, Pradhan had created history by qualifying for the NEET entry at this age. “It is an inspiration to the young generation. Despite all the odds, he decided to continue his studies, ”he said.
Pradhan, who was born on November 30, 1956, is the father of twins and a son. One of his daughters is now studying for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). The other, who was also a BDS student, passed away on November 20 of this year. Pradhan’s son is in Class X. When asked if his family supported his decision to join the MBBS course, Pradhan said, “We are going through a difficult time due to the death of my daughter.”
Retired surgical specialist Bikash Hota admired Pradhan’s determination. “Starting MBBS at the age of 64 is rare. I think this is the first case of its kind in India, ”he said.
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