Chhindwara
Coming from a remote tribal area of Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, a daughter of the district has created history by clearing the NEET exam.
Leaving behind limited resources, difficult circumstances and social challenges, Kumari Shanti Pachalia has proved that “if the intention is strong, dreams can not only be seen, but can also be fulfilled.”
Ms. Shanti, a student belonging to the special backward tribe Bharia, has become the first girl from Chhindwara district to clear the NEET exam. This achievement has not only made her family, village and community proud, but has also given a new inspiration to thousands of students studying in government schools.
The facilities of the educational schemes created by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav for free education for higher and technical education to the students of the tribal cadre have sown the seeds of an educational revolution. The government started an additional period for NEET and JEE preparation in all government higher secondary schools from July 2024.
Along with this, workshops, free notes, study material in Hindi-English and online coaching were made available with the help of a renowned coaching institute of Indore. Teachers were trained, difficulties of the students were removed from time to time.
About 1400 students of Chhindwara appeared in the NEET 2025 exam, out of which more than 80 students were successful, many of them also include students from tribal development blocks. Shanti was born on 23 April 2007 in village Balusar of development block Harrai.
Her father Mr. Litti Pachalia is a farmer and mother Mrs. Lata Pachalia is a housewife. Shanti did her early education from government schools and currently resides in Adivasi Utkrishta Hostel Harrai. She worked hard for 4 to 5 hours daily for studies and succeeded in NEET 2025 exam.
Despite limited resources financially and socially, Shanti’s dream was to become a doctor and serve her village.
She says that I want to take my village forward and help everyone.