Berhampur (Odisha): The dream of becoming a doctor came true for 19-year-old Subham Sabar from Odisha, who worked as a labourer in Bengaluru to support his family and has now secured admission to MBBS at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.

Hailing from Mudulidhiah village in Khurda district’s Banpur block, Sabar was at a construction site in Bengaluru when he received a life-changing phone call from his teacher, Basudev Moharana.

“Recently, while working at the construction site in Bengaluru, I got a call from my teacher who asked me to distribute sweets. I was surprised and asked him about the reason. He smiled and informed me that I had cracked the NEET exams. It was like a dream come true. I could not hold my tears and returned home the next day with due permission of the contractor who engaged me in the work,” Subham said.

The teenager, who ranked 18,212 in the Scheduled Tribe category, had been working for three months, earning Rs 45,000, out of which he managed to save Rs 25,000.

“I hail from a very poor family of five. As the NEET exam was over, I decided to earn some money to support my family. I contacted a local contractor who sent me to Bengaluru. The savings I made helped me get admission to the medical college,” he explained.

Subham initially dreamed of becoming a police officer, but shifted his focus to medicine during his higher studies. “I am now on course to fulfil my dream of becoming a doctor and serve the people of Odisha,” he said.

His parents, Sahadeb and Rangi, said they hope the government will extend financial support so he can complete the five-year MBBS course.

“Since childhood, he has been very labourious and meritorious. He wanted to become a doctor. His hard work guaranteed the success,” said his mother. “Subham grew up watching his parents and his siblings working hard day and night. He learnt how to work hard and succeeded,” she added.