THANE: Someone who is abandoned by her family at the tender age of four years —along with a year-old kid brother—and reared at an orphanage would perhaps elicit pity even years later. Not many would expect much of such a child. But meet Shabana Shaikh, who has set an example for many others like her.
Now 22 years old, the feisty girl didn’t allow circumstances to dampen her spirits, and recently secured a seat in a medical college after clearing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2021), thus achieving the first step towards realising her dream of becoming a doctor.
Shabana chose to forget the past, focus on future
Shabana was found with her brother at a Mumbai hospital around 18 years ago and was brought to an orphanage in Badlapur. Though the girl had initially clammed up, keeping to herself and not speaking to anyone, the staff could see that she was clever, outshining the other children in assigned educational tasks. But little did they think she would do the institution proud one day.
“Shabana always showed exemplary performance at studies. Later on, we encouraged her to pursue any field of her choice. She always said she wanted to be a doctor. Little did we realise that one day she would surprise us all,” said Padma Gudhe, superintendent at Bombay Teen Challenge orphanage.
Shabana, who is fond of singing, told TOI she was encouraged to take up medicine by the orphanage trustees, who ensured she was never deprived of study material. She had attempted NEET in 2019 too, but wasn’t satisfied with her score. So she put in two more years of preparation, just to be sure, and re-attempted the test last year, more than doubling her score and securing a place in an Aurangabad college.
“I don’t remember my biological family who left me and my brother to fend for ourselves. Instead of looking back and pitying myself for that, I focused on creating a better future for myself and the orphanage, which is n ow my family and has supported me throughout. My friends here are proud of me. They have always helped me with routine chores so that I could focus on my studies. Because of them, I could study for eight to ten hours at a stretch, daily, and prepare for the medical entrance exam,” said Shabana, who wants to specialise in gynaecology and serve society.
Social activ ists say the girl has set an example for others as many facing a similar situation in life often tend to lose hope and waver from their ambitions. “Youngsters often go astray. Instead of a chieving their goals, they blame destiny. Shabana sets an example for others,” said a staff member at the orphanage.
Shabana’s achievement has drawn the attention of Thane collector Rajesh Narvekar, who r ecently felicitated her and assured assistance, whenever required. Even as the young woman is excited to take the flight towards her dreams, she says she will miss the love and adulation she got at the orp hanage. She said she would compensate by excelling in her studies and make everyone prouder.
