Some stories go beyond personal achievements and inspire entire communities. The journey of Champa Raspeda, a 21-year-old from Malkangiri district in Odisha, is one such story. In 2025, she created history by becoming the first student from the Didayi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), to clear the NEET exam. She has now secured admission to Fakir Mohan Medical College & Hospital, Balasore. For her community, which faces many struggles in education and healthcare, this success is a moment of pride and hope. Champa’s story is not just about clearing an exam but about breaking barriers and inspiring many.

Early Life: Growing Up in the Didayi Community

Champa was born in Amlibeda village of Malkangiri, a remote area where life is full of challenges. Her father, Lachmu Raspeda, is a small farmer, and her mother takes care of the home. With seven children in the family, managing education was never easy. Belonging to the Didayi tribe, which has one of the lowest literacy rates in Odisha, Champa faced social and economic hurdles from the start. In her childhood, she saw many people in her community rely only on traditional healing methods. The lack of modern medical facilities often resulted in unnecessary loss of lives. One such incident, where a pregnant woman died without medical help, made a deep impression on Champa. That moment became the seed of her dream — to become a doctor and bring better healthcare to her people.

Journey Through Education

Champa began her studies at the PVTG Girls’ Education Complex in Nandiniguda, a school set up for tribal children. Later, she continued at SSD Girls’ High School, Chitrakonda, and completed her matriculation in 2019. She then studied science at SSD Higher Secondary School, Govindpally, passing Plus II in 2021. Despite her dedication, poverty forced her to drop out of her BSc course midway. It seemed her dream of becoming a doctor might end there. But her former science teacher, Utkal Keshari Dash, encouraged her to not give up. With his support, Champa joined free NEET coaching classes in Balasore, where she studied with renewed confidence. Her determination and hard work paid off when she cleared NEET 2025 on her first attempt, making history for her community.

A Symbol of Hope and Transformation

Champa’s achievement is not just a personal victory — it is a milestone for the entire Didayi tribe, which has a population of less than 10,000 people. For decades, education and healthcare have remained far out of reach for this community. By becoming the first Didayi tribal student to clear NEET, Champa has shown that with opportunity and determination, nothing is impossible. Her success has brought pride not only to her village but also to the entire state of Odisha. The Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, congratulated her and said that her story would inspire thousands of youths. Teachers, leaders, and elders from her tribe have also called this a turning point, as Champa’s journey now shows the younger generation that education can change their lives.

What Champa Represents

Champa’s dream is not just about building a career for herself but about serving her people. 

She said:

“Many lives in my community are lost for want of timely care. My dream is to complete my medical studies and return as a doctor to serve my people.”

Her plan is to complete her medical studies and return to her village as a doctor to provide healthcare to those who need it most. Champa’s journey also proves the importance of support systems like government residential schools and free coaching programs for underprivileged students. With such help, even children from the most remote communities can achieve great things. Her story is a reminder that education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and inequality.

Final Thoughts

The story of Champa Raspeda is more than just an exam success. It is about breaking barriers of poverty, geography, and limited opportunities. From a small tribal village to a medical college, her journey is proof of what hard work and determination can achieve. Champa is now a role model for her tribe and an inspiration for many across India. Her success shines as a message of hope, showing that education can truly transform lives. For the Didayi community, she is not only the first to clear NEET but also the first to prove that dreams can become reality with courage and persistence.