Father died due to lack of timely treatment, domestic help's daughter cracks NEET 2026, dreams of becoming cardiologist
Lucknow: Driven by the memory of losing her father because her family could not afford timely medical treatment, the daughter of a domestic help in Lucknow has qualified the NEET 2026, overcoming financial hardship to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
Neelu, who hails from a village in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar area, lost her father while she was studying in Class 8. Determined to ensure that no family suffers a similar loss due to lack of healthcare, she prepared for NEET while excelling academically, scoring 94 per cent in the CBSE Class 12 examination.
She has now secured a scholarship that will support her medical education as she works towards her goal of becoming a cardiologist.
According to a recent PTI report, the candidate from Lucknow, who lost her father in childhood as her family could not afford timely medical treatment, has cleared NEET, turning personal tragedy into the inspiration to pursue a career in medicine.
“My father died because we couldn’t afford proper medical treatment. That loss changed my life forever. I decided that I wanted to become a doctor so that no family has to lose a loved one simply because they are poor,” she said.
Neelu began her education at Prerna Girls School, run by Study Hall Education Foundation (SHEF) for girls from marginalised communities, and later earned a scholarship to Study Hall School for Classes 11 and 12.
Also Read:NEET 2025 results: 2 Gujarat Students Secure Spots in Top 10, 9 in Top 100
She scored 94 per cent in the CBSE Class 12 examinations this year while simultaneously preparing for NEET. Neelu has also been awarded a scholarship that will cover her tuition and related educational expenses as she pursues her ambition of becoming a cardiologist.
Her mother, the family’s sole earning member, works as a hospital attendant and domestic help. Despite pressure from relatives and members of the community to discontinue her daughters’ education and arrange their marriages, she continued to support Neelu’s studies.
“My teachers at the school made me believe that education can transform our lives, no matter where we come from. My success is the greatest gift I can give back to my school and family. I hope my journey inspires more students to dream bigger and become changemakers,” Neelu said.
SHEF Founder and CEO Urvashi Sahni said Neelu’s success demonstrated the transformative impact of quality education and opportunity. Study Hall School Principal Meenakshi Bahadur described her as an exceptionally hardworking student.
Also Read:NEET 2025 results: 2 Gujarat Students Secure Spots in Top 10, 9 in Top 100
