From the heart of Kannur’s Aralam Farm, a place where life is often defined by struggle and strength, a remarkable tale of determination and success unfolds. Unnimaya, whose parents, C.R. Mohanan and Bindu, work as daily wage laborers, has achieved a groundbreaking feat: she’s gained admission to the MBBS program at Dr. Moopen’s Medical College in Wayanad. This makes her the very first tribal student from the Aralam Rehabilitation area to pursue a medical degree.
As a proud member of the Karimbala community, Unnimaya is set to start her MBBS studies this coming Monday, October 6th. This isn’t just a personal triumph for her; it’s a profound collective victory for her entire community. Her path to medical school is a powerful story of unwavering determination and immense sacrifice.
Just two years prior, Unnimaya was enrolled in a BDS course at Malabar Dental College. However, her ambition to become an MBBS doctor was so intense that she bravely decided to leave dentistry and embark on a new beginning. “My heart was always set on becoming an MBBS doctor,” she shared with The Hindu. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I felt compelled to try again for my true calling.”
Following her departure from the dental program, she dedicated two years to intensive self-study at home, only enrolling in a coaching center a mere two months before the critical final examination. Her relentless hard work and commitment were rewarded when she achieved an impressive 37th rank in the Scheduled Tribe category statewide.
Her parents, both working as daily wage laborers at Aralam Farm, initially harbored concerns and opposed her choice to leave dental school, worried about the uncertain path ahead. Yet, witnessing her unwavering resolve, they wholeheartedly supported her. “We may not have had much,” her father, Mohanan, explained, “but we desperately wanted her to achieve what was beyond our reach.”
Unnimaya completed her high school years at Irrity High School before continuing her science education at Kaniyambetta Model Residential School. She attributes a significant portion of her motivation to Jithin, the hostel watchman who first sparked her interest in a medical career during her stay at the pre-matric hostel in Irrity. “He often spoke to me about the profound possibilities of becoming a doctor. That single conversation, really, changed the entire trajectory of my life,” she recounted.
Despite modestly describing herself as an average student, her remarkable journey stands as a powerful testament to how consistent effort and appropriate guidance can shatter even the most formidable barriers. “My time in dental college taught me that language is not an obstacle,” she affirmed. “Any tribal student can achieve higher education if they receive proper motivation and support from their parents and schools.” Her ultimate ambition, she revealed, is to dedicate her life to serving her own community as a compassionate doctor.
Her extraordinary success has filled the entire rehabilitation area with immense joy and pride. Officials from the Kannur Rapid Forest Response Team even visited her home to personally congratulate her on this monumental achievement. Kottiyoor range officer T. Nithinraj presented her with a gold medal, and Kannur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vysakh Sasi publicly declared that she would receive a consistent incentive grant from the Kannur Forest Development Agency.
“This significant recognition for a student from the Aralam Rehabilitation Area will undoubtedly inspire countless others to pursue their education and truly believe in their own potential,” the DFO stated with conviction.
For the Aralam region, which has historically been linked with displacement and profound challenges, Unnimaya’s achievement is a powerful emblem of transformation. It’s living proof that unwavering perseverance can elevate even the most humble origins into a narrative of extraordinary success. “My journey has only just started,” Unnimaya declared. “I aspire to serve my community and demonstrate that absolutely anything is possible if you truly hold onto your dreams.”