By Roopa Rani Bussa
Contributory author for Spark Igniting Minds
Medicine medicine medicine…
Sanjana! You always think about that. I understand you want to become a doctor but did you ever think about affordability? Sanjana’s father Venkatachalam asked.
Dad! I will get a merit seat. Please let me try once Sanjana requested. The mother convinced her husband saying let her try, only if she gets a merit seat we will think to move further.
Venkatachalam did not like the idea of her trying because one, it is expensive and two, the duration of the course is quite long. These days only MBBS has no value, she needs to do MD that takes another two years to complete. When can we get her married and when will she settle in her life. We are also getting old, said Venkatachalam.
Sanjana is the topper in school always and teachers’ favourite. Sanjana lives in a small town. She dreamt of being a doctor one day. Her teachers were supporting her idea of her being a doctor. Teacher once told Sanjana that if your parents are not encouraging you to do medicine, let me know I will come and talk to them. With a heavy heart Sanjana nodded.
Along with Sanjana many others were ready to write the entrance. Not all were merit students. Few have rich dads and few fall under the categories mentioned in the form. Some were sure that they would get a seat even before writing the exam. Some were thinking of approaching banks for loans.
Finally with lots of discussions at home, Sanjana filled the form for the entrance exam. Sanjana is working hard day and night. Exam date arrived. She went to a nearby city along with her dad to write the exam. Sanjana had only one qualification to become a doctor, that she is brilliant. Venkatachalam was worried only about the expenses. Some were thinking to earn what they spend after they get the degree.
Sanjana got her results. She did fairly well but the seat availability was only minimal because of various rules & regulations of the institutions. After so many filters she got the seat for medium range college where the expenses were not as less as the government college and not as costly as private colleges. All the seats from famous colleges were filled by the students who had rich parents. Getting a free seat is possible only if she fulfils the one, two, three categories or last option will be getting influence. Last option was out of question because Venkatachalam runs a small business in his native. He doesn’t have any contacts with big people with which he can get a seat for his daughter. She doesn’t fall under the categories mentioned either.
The college where Sanjana got a seat was also going beyond their affordability. To get the education loan no one was ready to be a guarantor. Out of frustration Sanjana that evening cried out loud by saying, why the system is not recognizing the merit? It is the primary duty of the doctors to save a life. What if the people who buy seats with money are not capable? Why the system doesn’t understand that middle class people can also have a dream! Both mom and dad consoled Sanjana.
Few days passed, Sanjana’s friend came to meet her. She said she joined the medical college in Mangalore. Sanjana was happy for her friend and also sad that she couldn’t get into the medical college. Sanjana’s friend said many seats are still empty if she wants to try but even then it wasn’t possible for Sanjana to get into it. Sanjana joined microbiology in the local college. She performed well there as well as always. Did her PhD. Achieved milestones in the profession she is working but one deficiency in her heart stayed forever that she couldn’t realize her dream.
Sanjana wrote a detailed letter to the Prime Minister of the country explaining the difficulties she faced and disappointments she had to bear even after having the ability to realize her dream of being a studious and merit student.
Dear Sir,
It’s all about destiny for me, but I think about the country’s fate. What if the future doctors who bought the seats are not as effective as they are need to be. I request you Mr. Prime Minister that the system should give preference to merit first than any other classifications to maintain the standards. In order to develop a country needs good doctors.
Sir Please do something to ease the system because without good doctors the country will suffer. Today the dream of becoming a doctor is quite unreachable for many. Even for the students with good merit. Hope to welcome only meritorious doctors every year.
Yours Sincerely,
Sanjana.
Prime Minister read this letter and thanked Sanjana for her concern about the country’s future. Gradually he introduced changes in the system which gave an opportunity for anyone to dream about being a doctor.
About the Author
Roopa Rani Bussa is a homemaker living in Kansas and is a nature lover, the beholder of positive power, a believer of social services, a Passionate teacher, and a well organized passionate writer.
The journey of writing began a few years ago and she considers it an honor to carry forward the legacy of her father. She writes quotes and poetry in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi Sanskrit, English, and Urdu.
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