Bhubaneswar: In a landmark moment for the Didayi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) from Odisha, Champa Raspeda has created history by becoming the first girl from her community to qualify for a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.
Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi lauded her success in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) that has brought immense pride and hope to the remote, and often marginalized, community.
Champa, who hails from Amlibeda village in the Malkangiri district, has been offered a seat at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore. Her journey is one of extraordinary determination, overcoming significant financial hardships and geographical barriers that have long limited access to education for her people.
Speaking to reporters, Champa credited her success to her family’s support and the crucial guidance of her high school teacher, Shri Utkal Keshari Das.
Shri Das, a teacher from Balasore, recognized her potential and arranged for her to receive free coaching at a private institute, IRODOV Classes, in Balasore. This selfless act of mentorship proved to be the turning point in her academic pursuit.
“I am indebted to my teacher and the coaching institute for their support,” Champa said. “My dream to become a doctor was inspired by the suffering I witnessed in my village, where people often rely on superstition and sorcery due to a lack of proper medical care. I hope to specialize in gynaecology and return to my community to serve the people and bring modern healthcare to our region.”
Champa’s achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience of the Didayi people, a community of approximately 9,800 individuals who primarily reside in the hills and forests of the Malkangiri district. Historically, the Didayi have faced challenges including poverty, low literacy rates, and limited access to essential services. Their traditional practices, including shifting cultivation, and distinct language, Gta’, are a core part of their identity.
Development initiatives, such as the Didayi Development Agency (DDA), have been working to improve the socio-economic conditions of the community by focusing on education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Champa’s success story is a shining example of how these efforts are beginning to bear fruit, inspiring a new generation of Didayi youth to pursue their dreams.
Champa’s milestone follows the success of Mangala Muduli, who last year became the first person from the Bonda tribe, another PVTG in the same region, to clear the NEET. Together, these achievements symbolize a new chapter of empowerment and transformation for Odisha’s most vulnerable tribal groups.