A 21-year-old daily labourer earning just Rs 300 a day, has cracked the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 examination with an impressive score of 677 out of 720. Sarfaraz’s story, amplified through a viral video by PhysicsWallah founder Alakh Pandey, has touched millions across India, spotlighting the power of resilience and ambition amidst adversity.
Sarfaraz, from West Bengal, spent the last two years lifting 400 bricks daily to support his family while pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. Despite financial hardships and social ridicule, he balanced his labour job from 6 AM to 2 PM before diving into his studies.
Sarfaraz’s mother often sacrificed her sleep to ensure he could study during cold nights in their modest home built under the PM Awas Yojana. Recalling her struggle, she said, “Our house had no roof, and I sat with him all night to ensure he didn’t feel cold while studying.”
Her sacrifices paid off when Sarfaraz earned a seat at the prestigious Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College in Kolkata.
Sarfaraz’s dream of joining the NDA after Class 10 was derailed by financial constraints and a life-changing accident. However, during the pandemic, government support enabled him to purchase a phone, marking a turning point. Sarfaraz began his NEET preparation through free YouTube videos by Alakh Pandey, eventually enrolling in a PhysicsWallah course during a discounted offer.
Even with a broken phone screen, Sarfaraz persisted. His first attempt saw him join a dental college, but the lack of hostel facilities forced him to drop out. Refusing to give up, he tried again in 2024, this time succeeding.
Pandey, moved by Sarfaraz’s journey, visited his home to lend support. He gifted Sarfaraz a new phone, offered Rs 5 lakh as a repayable loan for his education, and committed to covering his college fees. Pandey’s gesture has sparked widespread admiration, with the viral video receiving over 10.6 million views and 1.2 million likes.
Pandey remarked, “This Rs 5 lakh is not a gift but a loan. Repay it by helping another Sarfaraz in the future.”
Sarfaraz’s story has inspired his village, where he now guides younger children toward education.
Few months back, Sunny Kumar, an 18-year-old samosa vendor from Noida, achieved a stellar score in NEET 2024. Kumar scored 664 out of 720 while juggling between his studies and running a samosa stall in Sector 12 for 4-5 hours daily.
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