Help pours in from netizens for outstation NEET candidates

A day after hundreds of students were left anxious following the announcement that they may have to write National Eligibility and Entrance Examination Test (NEET) in other states, the online platform has given many aspirants a ray of hope.

A good number of students from Tamil Nadu who aspire to write NEET for securing seats in medical and dental colleges were in for a shock when the Central Board Secondary day Education declared that they ought to write the exams in other states as there were not enough centres in Tamil Nadu. Several students are expected to write the exam at centres in Rajasthan, Kerala and Karnataka.

The social media saw an outburst of reactions, mostly of anger against the Board for not making sufficient preparations and questions were raised on whether all students could afford to travel and reach their exam centres on time. From financial help to offering places to stay, several
volunteers took to social media to extend support to candidates.

NEET is scheduled to be held on Sunday. Actor Gayathri Raghuraman took to twitter and volunteered to offer help.

“I can sponsor one NEET exam student to travel and stay and food. That’s how much I can afford. I’m not rich, but can help one student. #NEET exam,” read her post.

Many others from the film fraternity as well offered financial support to candidates. Fashion stylist Vasuki Bhaskar was among them. Arulnithi Tamilarasu, another member on Twitter, said that he, along with Axess Films would be willing to sponsor 20 government school students whose centres have been allotted in other states.

Rajasthan Tamil Sangam is also doing its bit to support students. Bharathi, a member, said that since the decision was taken a few hours ago, arrangements could not be made for tickets. However, the association is providing students help at a local level.

“We understand that students who travel from the south might not be familiar with the language here. We are standing with placards at stations so that we can meet them and help provide food and transport to nearby places” he added.

A good number of non-resident Indians have joined hands as well. Dinesh Kumar, a mechanical engineer based in Dubai said that he would be willing to sponsor two students. He said that he was doing it in memory of Anitha, a NEET aspirant who committed suicide last year over less marks. “Her death had disturbed me a lot. I wish to offer support to some candidates who cannot afford travel,” he added.