Chennai, July 31: In an extraordinary tale of determination and delayed dreams, a 49-year-old physiotherapist, Amuthavalli Manivannan, and her daughter M Samyuktha, both from Tamil Nadu, have cleared the NEET exam together — securing medical seats through different routes. While Amuthavalli will soon begin her MBBS journey at a government college in Virudhunagar under the PwD quota, her daughter, who scored 450 marks, plans to study elsewhere under the general category.
Amuthavalli, who scored 147 marks, fulfilled a lifelong dream she had set aside over 30 years ago. Inspired by her daughter’s dedication to NEET preparation, she borrowed her study material and reignited her medical ambitions. “My ambition was rekindled after I saw my daughter prepare. She was my greatest inspiration,” she said.
Samyuktha, a CBSE student who underwent formal coaching, said her mother’s medical background helped her understand and retain concepts better. “I used to memorise better when explaining things to her,” she shared, adding that her lawyer father, while not interested in medicine, was highly supportive of both their goals.
On July 30, the mother-daughter duo attended medical counselling in Chennai under special categories, including the 7.5% government school quota, PwD, and others. While Amuthavalli opted for the college near her hometown Tenkasi, Samyuktha expressed her desire to study outside the state.
Amuthavalli had once aspired to be a doctor in her youth but had to settle for physiotherapy due to circumstances. Now, three decades later, she is finally realizing her dream — with her daughter walking a parallel path of success. (Agencies)
