Though physically challenged this did not, however, deter her singular determination to achieve the pinnacle of success in her studies.
Sure enough Dr Rajalakshmi S J, not only scored the highest marks in her discipline — MDS (Orthodontics), but also bagged a bushel of gold medals for her sterling performance.
A paraplegic since five years now, Rajalakshmi, who, soon after her BDS, was on way to attend a national dental seminar on Vellore, met with the fateful accident which left her thus.
However, instead of letting her new condition get the better of her, she chose to channelise her energies in other academic pursuits.
“While recovering from the accident, I did not know what to do. I could not sit idle. I enrolled for an MSc in Psychology through correspondence which I am yet to complete. I also did a diploma course in fashion designing. In 2010, I finally enrolled for my MDS course at Government Medical College in Bangalore ,” Rajalakshmi said.
Furthermore, Rajalakshmi began her own practice opening a clinic at Srinagar in South Bangalore.
“Various specialisations are offered in my clinic and I hope to do well,” the dentist said. The clinic will offer help to poor and underprivileged children through tie-up with NGO.
Dr Rajalakshmi’s mother, S Shobha, who has been pillar of support and strength, is also a doctor, although not a practicing one. Her father, late Janardhan Murthy was also a doctor.
“It is very important to have the right kind of people supporting you and in my case I had my mother and others including staff at my college were very supportive,” Rajyalakshmi said.
“My daughter is a golden child who appreciates life and and I am extremely proud of her,” Dr Shobha said.
While the convocation ceremony of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) on Wednesday saw as many as 62 toppers and gold medalists, it was one student sood out.
Addressing the convocation, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Secretary and Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Vishwa Mohan Katoch stressed the need to pay more attention to paramedical disciplines and allied medical service.
Incidentally, as many as 62 toppers received gold medal at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) convocation on Wednesday.