Malda: Defying financial hardships and multiple failed attempts, two determined young men from Malda district have cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), bringing immense pride to their respective villages. Ruhul Amin cleared the prestigious medical entrance exam on his third attempt, while Sahil Ahmed achieved success on his fifth, turning years of grit into inspiring success stories.
The results, announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday, sparked widespread celebrations across the district. While Ruhul secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 20,302 with 575 marks, Sahil secured an AIR of 43,208, scoring 543 marks. Both boys come from humble backgrounds—Ruhul is the son of a struggling farmer, and Sahil is the son of a driver.
Ruhul is the only son of Rafiqul Alam, a farmer who also provides basic medical assistance to villagers, and homemaker Jesmira Arju. Despite the family’s financial difficulties, his parents continued to support his education.
Ruhul completed his secondary education at DIB High School in Chanchal in 2021, securing 92 per cent marks. He completed his higher secondary education at Daxarah High School in Howrah in 2023, scoring 77 per cent.
He subsequently began preparing for the medical entrance examination. He initially studied from his village home before enrolling at Al-Amin Mission in New Town, Kolkata, for further preparation. Ruhul failed to qualify for NEET in his first two attempts. However, he continued preparing and succeeded on his third attempt.
“This is the first time that someone from our village will become a doctor. Ruhul is the pride of the entire village. Everyone is happy with his success,” said Abdul Khalek, a local resident.
A Father’s Unfulfilled Dream and a Son’s Promise
Speaking to eNewsroom, Ruhul’s father, Rafiqul Alam, said he had faced financial difficulties throughout his life.
“I completed my BA despite financial problems and wanted to secure a government job. Despite several attempts, I could not achieve that dream. I then hoped to fulfil that dream through my son. After he cleared NEET, I feel that my dream has taken one step towards fulfilment. The day my son returns to the village as a qualified doctor will be the day my dream is truly fulfilled,” he said.
Rafiqul said he earns around ₹20,000 a month through agricultural work and providing basic medical assistance to villagers.
“It was difficult to support the family, fund my son’s education and meet other household expenses with that income. But I never allowed my son to feel the pressure. Today, I feel that the hard work has finally borne fruit,” he said.
Ruhul said that no doctor had previously emerged from his village and that he hoped to become the first.
“I want to provide free medical care to poor people in my village,” he said.
Speaking about his motivation, Ruhul said his father often treated villagers suffering from minor ailments.
“When people suffer from serious illnesses, many families face financial difficulties in seeking proper medical treatment. Healthcare is becoming increasingly unaffordable for ordinary people. My dream is to become a doctor and serve the people of my village,” he said.
Malda’s Sahil Ahmed Clears NEET After Four Failed Attempts
Ruhul’s success has also brought renewed attention to another NEET achiever from Malda. Sahil Ahmed, a resident of the Mohana area of Enayetpur in Manikchak block, cleared NEET after failing to qualify in four consecutive attempts. He succeeded on his fifth attempt, scoring 543 marks and securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 43,208.
Sahil is the son of driver Md Sajahan and homemaker Sabina Yasmin. His father said the family was proud of his achievement.
“With determination, sacrifice and continuous effort, my son has moved closer to fulfilling his dream. I am extremely happy with his success and pray that he achieves even greater things in life,” Sajahan said.
The achievements of Ruhul and Sahil have inspired students across Malda, demonstrating how perseverance and determination can help young people overcome repeated setbacks and financial hardship in pursuit of their dreams.
