Boy who once cut grass now making the cut as a doctor

GEORGE TOWN: Six years ago, generous members of the public contributed to make a struggling student’s dreams come true. Their help has not gone in vain.

The student S. Somaraj has passed his medical degree and he is grateful to those who had helped him.

“The financial help went into paying for my initial varsity fees,” said the 24-year-old who is now looking forward to his housemanship.

“My father has since then managed to come up with the money for me to pursue my degree,” said Somaraj.

The former Penang Free School student also wishes to pay it forward. He plans to organise medical camps in the near future.

“And, when I am financially stable, I’ll donate towards the education of bright, underprivileged students,” he added.

In 2009, The Star reported about the then 18-year-old who had scored 7As and 3Bs in his SPM examination.

He dutifully helped his father with his part-time job of cutting grass on weekends to help his family’s meagre household income.

His plight received the attention of many, and contributions – some even from overseas – started to pour in.

Somaraj hopes to become a doctor in a private hospital here, where his father M. Sangkaran still works as an ambulance driver.

Somaraj’s parents are overjoyed with his success and like their son, are thankful to all who had helped him.

Somaraj was one of 205 students who graduated with a degree in medicine at the AIMST University eighth Convocation Ceremony 2015.

A total of 559 students graduated this year, with 74 in Dentistry, 99 in Pharmacy, 54 in Biotechnology, 19 in Physiotherapy, six in Nursing, 62 in Business studies, 26 in Engineering and 14 post-graduate studies.