A student from a slum in South Orissa has passed the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) this year, ranking 367th in the Economically Weak Section (EWS) category, which qualifies an 18-year-old to be admitted to an IIT in the country.
A student from a slum in this southern Orissa city has cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) this year and is ranked 367th in the Economically Weak Section (EWS) to qualify for an 18-year-old seat. According to the general category student, P Manoj Kumar’s position is 3,899.
Although Manoj, a resident of a slum in Prem Nagar here, belongs to other backward classes, his family does not have any certificate of land lease (land rights). He was assisted by a private institute in the city, which coached him for the last two years at no cost. It assured him of the necessary financial support for admission to an IIT.
Manoj’s father Nagaraju said his son was a student of a nearby government primary and high school and had a good education.
“I am an electrician and I earn my living every day by attending calls from different quarters for my services. Despite the severe financial constraints, I have always given priority to my son’s education,” he said.
Nagaraju said he was very worried after his son finished his Class 10 and went to the director of the institute Sudhir Raut and asked him for free coaching.
“He (Raut) not only agreed to give Manoj free coaching but also promised to arrange funds for him for admission after achieving a good rank,” he said.
Her mother bought her an Android phone in monthly installments so that her online classes would not be affected if the coaching center was closed due to the epidemic situation.
“The phone arrears have not been paid yet,” Nagaraju said.
Asked about his inspiration, Manoj pointed to his father and thanked the teachers at the coaching institute for helping him. Routledge said one of his former students, who now works abroad, had assured him of financial help for Manoj’s admission to a college.
In addition, some members of the coaching institute also came forward to help the students financially.
“For the past few years we have been providing free coaching and financial support for higher education to poor but gifted students,” Raut said.
At least 11 students from the institute have cleared the JEE-Advanced this year with the highest rank of 1065 in the general category, he added.
Barhampur MLA Vikram Kumar Panda on Saturday congratulated the students of the institute including Manoj for their achievement in the examination.
He thanked Raut for providing free coaching to poor students.
(PTI)