- Despite losing his Father a few years back at a young age, Vikas has not lost hope and has kept his vision of becoming a doctor strong.
- Vikas wishes to eradicate the financial struggles of his family by clearing NEET and fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor
Sirsa, June 08, 2021: The Second Wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on almost everyone. For students particularly, the lockdown has caused deep distress – the constant worry about exams being rescheduled, preparing for competitive exams online as well as the fear of an uncertain future. But this period of grief and struggle has also given rise to many stories of courage among the student community that are a true inspiration for all. Of fighting against a situation and overcoming it and Of finding opportunity in adversity.
One of such story is that of Aakash Institute student 16-year-old Vikas Godara, son of a single mother from the city of Sirsa in Haryana, who is preparing for his NEET entrance exam.
His father’s untimely demise a few years back was a major setback in his life and devastated the Godara family. He was the sole bread earner and his death made time stand still for Vikas. But, he didn’t give up and has continued to strive for excellence.
His mother showed exemplary courage by taking up responsibilities of the entire household while also taking care of the two kids (Vikas and his younger sister) and constantly working on the farm, which is the only income source of the family. It was his determination over the years which made Vikas realize the importance of hard work and good education. He wishes to eradicate the financial struggles of his family while also achieving his dream of becoming a doctor.
Being a studious student, Vikas was always into gaining knowledge from whatever source he could gather. The onslaught of the lockdown last year hindered Vikas’s preparations, as he did not have a laptop and a stable broadband connection. His mother after saving for months managed to get a laptop from a nearby dealer which made things a lot easier for Vikas.
Says Vikas, “You either keep running or stop moving at all. The setbacks I faced have made me realise how important a single individual is; this has taught me the value of life. Leaving the past behind, I aim to create a better life for my mother and my sister. Whatever I strive to be and whatever I will be; It will be a result of the hardships my mother has faced since years. I wish to give them a beautiful life with access to all amenities.”
Aakash Institute has made special efforts to ensure that students from Tier 2 cities and rural areas who were badly hit when the lockdown struck, are able to continue their studies and are not left behind. Teachers across all branches in India are making constant efforts to mentor the student, solve their doubts and them so as to overcome their infrastructure needs and any problems thereof.
Says Mr. Aakash Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Educational Services Ltd said “The pandemic has been tough for everyone. While students are safe at home, the importance of regular study is extremely important to clear high stakes examinations like JEE and NEET. However, for students from rural background and smaller cities, it’s a bigger challenge. We strive to provide the best possible learning environment for students like Vikas irrespective of their geographical location or their financial capabilities. I am sure the courage that Vikas has shown in overcoming obstacles in his life will enable him to fulfil his dream of becoming a doctor as well. I wish him all the best for his NEET exam.”
Students who wish to take admission in Aakash can either take the instant Admission cum Scholarship Test (iACST) or register for ANTHE (Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam). iACST is a recently launched scholarship program conducted for students in Class 8th to 12th which offers them a chance to win up to a 90% scholarship on tuition fees.