NEET-UG 2024: Ranchi Woman Overcomes Locomotor Disability to Pursue Medical Dream | Ranchi News
Ranchi: For 23-year-old Robab Munnami, who appeared for NEET-UG from a centre in the city on Sunday, it was not just about competing for a medical seat but reclaiming a dream she couldn’t fulfil for the past two years.A resident of Gandhinagar area here, she overcame significant physical challenges to write the test. Robab passed her Class XII examination from a city-based school in 2022, securing 92% marks. Her life took an unexpected turn the same year when a severe bout of fever left her with a locomotor disorder.“The illness changed everything. She suddenly found it difficult to walk and depended on support for even routine movement. But it never weakened her determination to become a doctor. After passing the Class XII boards, she suffered fever in Oct 2022. She was unable to stand on her feet after recovering from fever. She was preparing for NEET at a coaching institute at that time,” said Robab’s father, S M Zahid Anwar, who brought her to the exam centre in a wheelchair.“We consulted doctors in Vellore, but they said that she won’t be able to stand on her own. That incident did not impact her at all. She stayed determined to appear for the exam,” Anwar said.Robab registered for NEET in both 2024 and 2025. However, she was unable to appear for the test on both occasions, allegedly due to inadequate facilities for disabled candidates at centres. Her family alleged that no wheelchairs were provided and she was allotted seats on upper floors, making access impossible.“In 2024, based on her medical reports, I applied for a wheelchair for her at the exam centre, but she was not provided one. A similar thing happened in 2025 as well. Her seat was on an upper floor. We requested to shift her seat to the ground floor, but failed,” Anwar added.Despite the setbacks, Robab didn’t give up. This year, she obtained a certificate for 20% locomotor disability, which helped ensure appropriate arrangements at the exam centre. With necessary access finally in place, she appeared for the test.“Just entering the examination hall felt like a victory. I have waited a long time for this moment. My exam went well,” said Robab after writing her paper on Sunday.
