Bricks, Books, and Big Dreams: Meet the Labourer Who Outscored the Odds in NEET

Image Source: Times of India

Sheikh Sarfaraz, 21 years old from West Bengal, is a national hero who beat impossible odds to score a brilliant 677 marks out of 720 in NEET 2024. A poverty-stricken wage labourer who spent his working hours lugging 200–400 bricks for ₹300–₹400 per day and studied at night by the faint light of a cracked phone screen, Sarfaraz is a story of determination, grit, and the power of dreams to triumph over adversity.

Key Highlights

Background: Sarfaraz is from Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, and lives in a house built under PM Awas Yojana, typically with no roof. His mother would bring him along with her on cold nights so he could study without falling ill.
Daily struggles: Worked 8 hours daily as a laborer to support his family, carrying hundreds of bricks, and in the evenings, studied for NEET.
Mocked but Motivated: Teased by the neighbors for having grand plans, but not in any way discouraged, spurred by his mother and his own ambition to be the first physician in the family.
Academic Life: Originally wanted to attend NDA, but due to an accident and financial constraints, he turned to the field of medicine. He studied for NEET using free YouTube sessions and low-price courses of Physics Wallah, learning on a borrowed or a broken phone.
Setbacks and Comeback: Cleared NEET 2023 but was forced to withdraw from dental college due to the absence of hostel facilities and funds. He did not lose heart, though, and attempted again and cleared in 2024 and got admission in Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata.
Support and Appreciation: Physics Wallah CEO Alakh Pandey, inspired by Sarfaraz's tale, went to his home, gave him a new phone, and committed ₹5 lakh towards his college fee as a repayable loan—urging Sarfaraz to assist another such student in the future.
Future Goals: Sarfaraz hopes to provide free medical treatment to the needy and sponsor poor students.

Others around me would tell me that I am still a manual labourer despite having studied so much," Sarfaraz remembered, "but I never lost hope.".

Sheikh Sarfaraz's transformation from carrying bricks to carrying the dreams of a nation is a motivation for millions—showing that with sheer willpower, no dream is too big.

Source: India.com, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, ABP Live, News18.