TV
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday felicitated Champa Rasbeda, a student from Malkangiri district, who has become the first girl from the Didayi tribal community to clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
With this achievement, she is now eligible to pursue MBBS studies, marking a historic first for her community.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister praised Champa’s determination and perseverance, describing her as a source of inspiration for Odisha’s youth.
“Her strong determination and diligent hard work will become a source of inspiration for all the youth of our state. Wishing her a bright future,” the CM wrote.
A Milestone for the Didayi Community
Notably, Champa hails from the remote Amri Behda area in the Malkangiri district, where access to education and healthcare remains limited.
According to reports, she pursued her schooling in government institutions before moving to Balasore for coaching to prepare for NEET. Despite financial hardship, she persevered and succeeded, becoming a role model for her peers.
Speaking about her journey, Champa said she drew strength from the support of her teacher, Utkal Keshari Das, who mentored her through her preparations.
Champa’s success follows that of Mangala Muduli, who became the first doctor from the Bonda tribe last year. Inspired by his journey, Champa said her teacher often cited Mangala’s story as motivation.
The young aspirant, who comes from a large family of seven siblings with a farmer father, said she has long dreamed of becoming a doctor to give back to her people.
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Symbol of Hope
Champa’s success has sparked celebrations in her community, where she is being hailed as a trailblazer. For the Didayi tribe, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha, her achievement is seen as a breakthrough against social and economic barriers that have historically kept higher education and healthcare out of reach.
