Kolkata: Between 2022 and 2023, Shaukat Ali rode for Rapido, ferrying passengers across the city to survive. In between trips, he sold small household items from a dala—a bamboo basket—in some of Kolkata’s busiest lanes. His father had died in 2008, and his mother, who worked as a domestic help in several homes, single-handedly raised him.
In 2024, the Khidirpur resident cracked NEET and secured a dental seat at North Bengal Medical College. But his mentor urged him to aim higher. Ali reappeared for NEET in 2025 and secured an MBBS seat. Tragically, his mother, who was battling cancer, did not live long enough to see him advance in his medical journey. His younger sister has just completed her senior secondary education. The orphaned siblings are now the only surviving members of their immediate family.
From Rapido Rides to MBBS Seat: Triumph Over Hardship
“My life changed after I came in contact with Urooj and Minhaj sir (Dr Minhajuddin Khurram). Urooj helped me clear NEET in 2024, and Minhaj sir pushed me to try again in 2025,” Ali said.
He added, “Minhaj sir also helped me deposit the bond at Raiganj Medical College. Now my goal is clear — I want to pursue MS (Master of Surgery).”
Financial struggles persist. “I used to give tuition earlier, but staying in the hostel makes that impossible. We now depend on support from my nana’s family,” he shared.
Ali’s story reflects the fragile distance many underprivileged aspirants must travel between survival and success.
Surekha Sahu grew up in similarly difficult circumstances. Her father went missing years ago, leaving her mother, Pramila Sahu, a small grocery shop owner, to raise her and her elder daughter, who is physically challenged. Today, Surekha is pursuing paramedical studies but dreams bigger.
“I will appear for NEET next year with the aim of securing an MBBS seat. Minhaj sir has taken my promise,” she said at Urooj’s felicitation ceremony, which she attended with her mother and sister.
Abhishek, another student who cleared MBBS, could not attend; his father collected the memento on his behalf. Along with Ali, Abhishek, Sahu, Shahnawaz Alam and several NEET 2025 qualifiers were present as senior Kolkata doctors felicitated them.
Mohammed Sadiqu Ahmed, now a second-year MBBS student at Calcutta National Medical College, shares a similar arc. Ahmed once worked with Blinkit while preparing for exams. He first secured a BDS seat but later cracked MBBS.
“Sadiq was first spotted listening to chemistry teacher from outside the class (from the corridor) because he did not have money to attend the class. The teacher made him sit in class and later same day he was introduced to me. He was allowed classes for free. He got BDS that year. Next year he was encouraged and took under mentorship and he delivered MBBS,” recalled Dr Minhajuddin.
“After BDS, I had lost the motivation to attempt MBBS again. Minhaj sir pushed me. Today, I am pursuing MBBS,” Sadiq said while addressing the gathering.
How Dr Minhaj Mentored NEET Rankers from the Margins
This marks the third consecutive year that Urooj, a NEET coaching centre, has helped underprivileged students clear one of India’s toughest entrance exams. In 2024 alone, over 23 lakh students competed for around 1.1 lakh MBBS seats, underscoring the scale of competition.
Beyond classroom preparation, mentorship has been central to these outcomes. Dr Minhajuddin Khurram, while acknowledging the students’ appreciation, remained understated about his role and reiterated his commitment to supporting those from economically weaker backgrounds.
Helping Hand, a partner organisation, co-organised the event, strengthening a support ecosystem that continues to turn hardship into opportunity — and aspiration into white coats.
