In a shining example of grit and determination, 12 out of 25 girls from Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Marihan, Mirzapur, have cracked the highly competitive NEET 2025 exam, paving their way to medical careers that once seemed impossible.
What makes this achievement extraordinary is that these young aspirants come from some of Uttar Pradesh’s most economically challenged families — daughters of farm laborers, small shopkeepers, and daily wage workers from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds.
Their triumph is not just personal but a collective win for Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, a government-run residential school offering free education and NEET-specific coaching, thanks to the UP Social Welfare Department’s special initiative launched in 2024.
Dreams Born in Adversity, Realized with Determination
Take Princy, the daughter of a farm laborer, who moved from Kaushambi to Marihan in pursuit of her dream. Or Pooja Ranjan from Sonbhadra, who doubted her chances of ever donning a doctor’s coat. Or Shweta, whose father sells bicycle seat covers in Kaushambi. Today, all three have successfully cleared NEET.
“I never imagined coaching here would be so good that I’d actually clear NEET,” said a jubilant Pooja.
A Model for Empowerment in Rural India
Started as a pilot project in 2024, NEET and JEE coaching at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya was supported by Tata AIG and the Ex-Navodayan Foundation. Of the 39 girls trained, 25 appeared for NEET and an impressive 12 cleared it — a record that has transformed Marihan into a “centre of excellence,” according to Social Welfare Director Kumar Prashant.
Minister Asim Arun confirmed that this successful model will soon be expanded to all 100 Sarvodaya Vidyalayas in UP, giving wings to many more dreams in the years ahead.
