From IIT to IIM: Inspiring stories of students who fought against all odds to achieve their dreams

Did you think your childhood was tough as you juggled school, tuitions and extra-cirricular activities? You should perhaps thank your stars that you didn’t have it as tough as some of the most inspiring stories of students who’ve surmounted all odds to achieve their goals.

On Thursday, Yogendra Singh, the son of a rickshaw-puller, got into IIM-Lucknow. Hailing from a poor family, for years Singh grazed cattle, milked cow and slept without food. But then, with help of one relative, he got back to his studies.

“For months, me and my family of 7 siblings slept at night without food. It was a routine. Getting up early next day and grazing cattle was the order of the day as I was eldest among all brothers and sisters. While father pulled rickshaw, I milked cow,” Hindustan Times reports him saying.

But the finally the hard work seems to have paid off as Singh gears up for a new life.

But Singh is not the only one, here are some other inspiring stories.

Shubham Jaglan

Shubham Jaglan, the son of a milkman from rural Haryana, scripted a one-stroke win at the Junior World Golf Championships being played at Welk Resort Fountain Course. And, lest we forget, he is just 10-years-old.

The Golf Foundation pioneered by Arjuna Awardee and Asian Games gold medallist, Amit Luthra, took up Jaglan’s case and it proved to be a turning point.

“It means a lot to me and my dad especially, who was with me 24/7 and worked harder than I did. Last but not at all the least, Amit Luthra Sir who has giving me all day the support that I needed! Thanks to all my friends and family for pushing for me and making me who I am,” Shubham said after the victory.

Raju and Brijesh

In June, Raju, 18, and Brijesh, 19, cleared the IIT Advanced examinations. Raju secured 167th rank while his brother Brijesh stood 410th in the exam, but faced financial odds to pursue their dream.

After their story went viral, the government stepped in to help. Human resource development minister Smriti Irani waived the admission fees for the two brothers from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, reports the Hindustan Times .

Even Rahul Gandhi spoke to the brothers and subsequently directed local party leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tewari and his daughter and MLA Aradhana to extend all necessary help to them.

Shalini A

Shalini scored 84.8 percent in the science stream in the Karnataka class 12 exam results.

The feat was achieved while working as a domestic help in at least eight part-time jobs, and as a cleaner in an office. During her time off, she tended to her sick father, finished housework, and studied for her upcoming exams, reports the Huffington Post .

She’s now preparing for the Common Entrance Test, a competitive exam for admissions in medical, dental and engineering courses in professional colleges in India.

With inputs from PTI.