Meet Jay Kishore Pradhan who embodies the belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s aspirations. Aged 65, he exchanged his position in banking for the enriching environment of a medical college classroom, demonstrating that age is merely a figure to follow one’s passion.
The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) is the gateway for securing admission to numerous medical and dental programs in India, characterized by its challenging nature and high level of competition. For Jay Kishore Pradhan, a resident of Odisha, the prospect of undertaking this examination following his retirement from a long-standing career was indeed a significant challenge.
It may seem unusual, but Jay Kishore Pradhan, who was born in 1956, has embarked on a journey to become a doctor. He will officially commence the four-year MBBS program at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, which is recognized as one of the leading government health institutions in Odisha, following his admission last year.
Pradhan, a resident of Atabira in the Bargarh district of Odisha, has successfully fulfilled all requirements to enroll in the MBBS program. The senior citizen has passed the cardiology, pulmonary function, and nephrology assessments, thereby receiving approval to pursue his studies in medicine.
It may seem unusual, but Jay Kishore Pradhan, who was born in 1956, has embarked on a journey to become a doctor. He will officially commence the four-year MBBS program at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, which is recognized as one of the leading government health institutions in Odisha, following his admission.
“The aspiration to pursue a career in medicine was so compelling that I contemplated the possibility of taking voluntary retirement after 15 years in the banking sector. Nevertheless, considering my family responsibilities, it seemed too risky to leave my position,” said Pradhan.
After graduating, he began his career as a part-time teacher at a local school before transitioning to the telecommunications industry. Following this, he took a position at Indian Bank. In 1983, Mr. Pradhan became a member of the State Bank of India.
After a hiatus of four decades from formal education, how did the individual manage to establish a study routine in preparation for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a challenging examination even for contemporary students?