From begging on streets to becoming a doctor: The inspiring journey of Pinki Haryan

With assistance from the Tong-Len Charitable Trust in the United Kingdom, Pinki Haryan secured a place at a medical college in China in 2018. (Image: PTI)

Pinki Haryan, who once begged on the streets of Mcleodganj with her parents and scavenged for food, has come a long way. Now a qualified medical graduate from China, Haryan is preparing for an exam that will enable her to practice medicine in India. Her journey from extreme poverty to pursuing a career in medicine is a testament to her determination and the support she received along the way.

It was in 2004 when Lobsang Jamyang, a Tibetan monk and director of the Dharamshala-based Tong-Len Charitable Trust, first encountered Haryan begging on the streets. After recognising her during a visit to the Charan Khud slum cluster, Jamyang set out on a mission to convince her parents, especially her father, to allow her to attend school. After hours of persuasion, her father, Kashmiri Lal, agreed.

Haryan was subsequently enrolled in Dayanand Public School in Dharamshala. She also became part of the first batch of students at a hostel for destitute children established by the trust in 2004. Though she initially missed her family, she remained focused on her education, realising that it was her way out of poverty.

Ajay Srivastava, president of the NGO Umang Foundation, which has been working closely with Jamyang for nearly two decades, noted Haryan’s commitment to her studies. She completed her senior secondary education and cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), an exam required for admission to medical programmes in India. Despite her academic success, private medical colleges remained financially out of reach due to high fees.

With assistance from the Tong-Len Charitable Trust in the United Kingdom, Haryan secured a place at a medical college in China in 2018. She recently returned to Dharamshala after completing her MBBS degree and is now preparing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), a necessary step to practice as a doctor in India.

Reflecting on her journey, Haryan acknowledged the difficulties she faced growing up in poverty. “Poverty was the biggest struggle since childhood. It was painful to see my family in distress. As I got into school, I had an ambition to become successful in life,” she said. She added that her upbringing in a slum served as motivation, driving her to aspire for a financially stable life.

Haryan recalled that during her school admission interview as a four-year-old, she expressed her desire to become a doctor, despite not fully understanding the profession at the time. "I always wanted to help my community," she said, adding that her background inspired her to work towards a career in medicine.

Her journey has also influenced her family. Both her brother and sister have now enrolled in school, following her example. Haryan credited Jamyang for playing a crucial role in her success, stating, “He had a vision to help destitute and poor children. He was the biggest support system I had while I was in school. His belief in me was a big inspiration to do well.”

Jamyang, reflecting on his efforts, said that his intention when establishing the trust was to provide basic education to children from destitute backgrounds, ensuring they could lead a dignified life. He did not anticipate the level of talent these children would show, many of whom have since become professionals in various fields, including medicine, engineering, and journalism.

Srivastava added that Jamyang’s philosophy is to prioritise the development of good human beings over mere financial success. "He has dedicated his entire life to the children living in slums. Several of them, who once languished in the streets, were adopted by him and have today become engineers, doctors, and journalists," Srivastava said.

(With inputs from PTI)