Studying in IIT (BHU) in Varanasi -- one of the premier engineering institutes in India -- was a dream for Tarun Kumar Paikra of Bamlaya village of Chhattisgarh's Surguja district. He grew up in a farmer's family where education was not considered a priority.
But Paikra always dreamt of achieving big in life rather than being confined to his village. He needed was a suitable platform and proper guidance, which he found in the state-government-run Prayas Residential School.
"I joined Prayas in Class 9 where my teachers motivated and guided me to pursue my childhood dream of studying in an institute that taught the nation's brightest minds," the young man told Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at the Rajiv Gandhi Bal Bhavishya Suraksha Prayas Residential School.
"I qualified for the national level National Talent Search Examination in Class 9 and 10. These not only strengthened my basics but also boosted my self-confidence.
"I started preparing for JEE. Continuous guidance of my teachers and healthy competition with my classmates made it possible for me to turn my dream into reality," said Paikra, currently pursuing electronics engineering from IIT (BHU).
Paikra and other students of Prayas Residential Schools are also cracking JEE and NEET, considered the toughest entrance tests in India.
These tribal children are not only proving to be an inspiration for others but are also bringing glory to Chhattisgarh.
Similar is the story of Jagriti Kanwar of Rajnandgaon district, who is studying in IIT Patna.
Sharing her experience at the function, she said: "I was homesick initially after joining Prayas. However, I am glad I found a new and very big loving family here and an environment that feels like home.
"I focused on my preparations for cracking engineering entrance exams and got this success with the guidance of my teachers."
Likewise, Lisha Netam, also a student of IIT (BHU), said both his parents were teachers who always motivated her to study.
She cracked the entrance exam and got admission in Prayas Girls Residential School, Gudhiyari, Raipur. She said the school has a very good environment for studying, which made it possible for her to crack the later tough exam.