Koppal youth cracks NEET: Shepherd by weekend, future doctor by choice | Hubballi News
KOPPAL: For Puttaraj Bhimanur, weekends and holidays were rarely meant for rest or leisure. Back in his native Hanumanahalli village in Koppal district, the motor rewinder’s son spent his time grazing sheep, working in the fields and helping his father repair borewells. Between these responsibilities, he quietly nurtured a childhood dream — to become a doctor. On Saturday, that dream moved a step closer to reality when he secured an All-India Rank (AIR) of 694 in the ST category in NEET-UG 2026.Speaking to TOI, Puttaraj said he studied at the Morarji Residential Govt School in Bevur. “Whenever I came home during vacations, I grazed sheep, worked in the fields and accompanied my father, who repairs farm motors and borewells, but I never gave up on my dream of becoming a doctor,” he said. After scoring 390 in NEET-UG 2025, Puttaraj could not secure an affordable MBBS seat. Unable to pay the fees charged by private medical colleges, he opted for long-term online coaching and prepared for another attempt while continuing to help his family. “Even after finishing farm work and grazing sheep, I made time to study,” said Puttaraj, who scored 96% in SSLC and 98% in II PUC from Sri Vidyaniketan College, Gangavathi. His father, Mahabaleshwar, who is physically challenged and studied only up to Class 8, works as a motor rewinder and borewell repair technician. His mother, Suvarna, never had the opportunity to attend school. Yet, they remained determined that their son should receive the education they never had. “We receive electricity for only about seven hours a day, so Puttaraj often studied at night using a solar lamp,” his parents said. “He woke up at 6 am every day to study. When NEET was re-conducted this year, we suggested he consider other professional courses through CET. But he was confident he would score at least505 marks.”The family’s circumstances remain modest. Twenty members of their joint family, including Puttaraj’s grandparents, live in a 60×25-ft house. His grandparents, Hanumappa and Udachamma, recall that Puttaraj dreamt of becoming a doctor from the age of six. “While washing cattle or doing household chores, he would pretend to examine us like a doctor, making everyone laugh. Today, we are proud that our family will finally have a doctor,” they said. Puttaraj is the second of three siblings. His elder brother, Chiranjeevi, dropped out of school to support the family by assisting their father, while his younger sister, Poonima, is studying in Class 10 at Kittur Rani Chennamma Govt Girls’ School in Gangavathi. “Puttaraj is an extraordinary student. Seeing his academic performance, we waived his college fee. He regularly attended classes and studied for 8-10 hours daily,” said Jagannath Rao, principal and director, Sri Vidyaniketan PU College, Gangavathi.
