Charul achieved an all-India rank of 631 and secured the 10th position in her category (SC) in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Among the freshest batch of aspiring doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, there is a daughter of a farm laborer from Kiratpur village in Bijnor. Charul Honariya, an 18-year-old, is the first person from her village to pursue higher education and study medicine. Due to the pandemic, she began her online studies from home. Every morning at 10, she sits on a mat and uses her smartphone to access her online classes.
Charul expressed her gratitude to her parents for their belief in her and their permission to pursue medicine, saying, “In my village, girls are compelled to abandon school due to early marriages.”
In the NEET, Charul obtained a score of 631, securing an all-India rank, and finished 10th in her category (SC). Her scores in class 12 were 98 in psychology, 97 in biology, and 95 in physics and chemistry, with an additional 80 in English. She achieved an overall percentage of 93%.
Her classes face disruptions due to inadequate electricity and internet connectivity. She can only receive a strong signal on the terrace of her home. Using her phone, which is her sole device, she attends classes. Charul attended a primary school in her village until Class 5. She cleared the entrance exam for VidyaGyan, a rural leadership school operated by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, and was admitted to Class 6.
“I recall the times when we didn’t even have a single rupee in our household. If we needed to buy anything, my father had to borrow money. To this day, we don’t own a refrigerator or a cooler at home,” Charul revealed.
Shaoukeen Singh, Charul’s father, expressed his joy, stating, “I feel my dream has come true. She will earn an MBBS degree and serve the villagers.”
Shalini Almadi, Charul’s biology teacher, described her as a diligent and brilliant student. “On the first day I entered her classroom (when she was in class 9), I immediately noticed her dedication. She aspired to become a doctor, and I could truly envision a doctor in her,” said the teacher.
Reflecting on her success, Charul shared with Times Now, “I never allowed any negative thoughts to enter my mind. I always remained positive that I would succeed, and this has been my ultimate mantra for success.” With her admission to a top medical college, she now aims to utilize the coming years to the fullest and give back to her community and village.
