A tale of perseverance and adaptation unfolds as three siblings, initially on a path to become doctors, redirect their aspirations to assist future medical hopefuls after facing obstacles in acquiring their licenses to practice in India.
Originally hailing from Bihar’s Siwan, Mrinal Jha (name changed) embarked on a journey to China in pursuit of an MBBS degree in 2012. Following suit, his sister opted for medical studies in Poland a year later, while their youngest sibling ventured to Georgia two years after that, all sharing the dream of establishing a family-run hospital in their hometown.
However, their aspirations took an unforeseen turn when they encountered difficulties cracking the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE), an essential prerequisite to practicing medicine in India. With only a fraction of Indian students studying MBBS abroad successfully obtaining licenses, the trio faced a challenging reality.
Despite their continued attempts at the FMGE, Mrinal and his siblings diversified their career trajectory. Leveraging their intimate knowledge of foreign universities accumulated over years of study, they established a consultancy to aid MBBS aspirants in navigating the admission process.
In an interview, Mrinal shared, “The first priority was to become a doctor, but after investing years, we couldn’t remain idle. We’ve facilitated over 1,000 admissions to universities in China, Poland, Georgia, and Uzbekistan in 2023, earning approximately ₹4 crore.”
The trio collaborates with universities, earning between USD 500 to 700 per admission, a financial success they note would have been unattainable if they were practicing doctors without licenses. Their consultancy guides students through admission formalities, visa processes, and accommodations, including plans to establish hostels serving Indian cuisine in foreign countries to ease the transition for students.
Priya (name changed) emphasized the transparency maintained with aspiring students, providing realistic insights into the FMGE and the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates in India. She highlighted the lure of affordable fees at foreign universities, a key motivator for students pursuing education abroad.
The disparity in treatment between foreign and domestic medical graduates in India remains a concern. While graduates from countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand bypass the FMGE, others endure a rigorous screening process despite their overseas qualifications.
The trio’s story epitomizes resilience in adversity, evolving from aspiring doctors to mentors guiding future medical students while navigating the complexities of cross-border medical education.
As they continue their attempts at the FMGE, Mrinal, Priya, and their sibling remain determined, aspiring not just to assist aspiring MBBS students but also to expand their consultancy and establish accommodations catering to Indian students abroad, reshaping their dreams in the face of challenges.
Sources By Agencies
