For most people, battling stage 4 cancer might seem like an insurmountable challenge. But for Madhurima Baidya, a young girl from a small village in Tripura, it became the backdrop for one of the most inspiring stories of perseverance.
Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at just 12, Madhurima overcame years of gruelling treatment to crack NEET 2024 on her first attempt, and that too with 87 percentile marks.
Her journey to becoming an MBBS student at Tripura Shanti Niketan Medical College shows how far the human spirit is willing to go to achieve their deepest desires/dreams.
FROM CLASSROOMS TO HOSPITAL WARDS
In 2016, Madhurima’s life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Her childhood was quickly replaced with hospital stays and rounds of chemotherapy at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Yet, she refused to let the disease disrupt her education.
“I was 12 years old, studying in Class 6 when I was diagnosed,” she recalls. “Despite being under high doses of chemotherapy, my biggest concern was my studies! I loved school and missed my friends. I didn’t want to miss out on anything, so I studied in hospital OPDs and even while admitted.”
For Madhurima, the answer to every loss in her life was one — get a seat in a medical college and become a doctor.
Her dedication was evident when she scored an impressive 96% in her Class 10 board exams, which she gave while still undergoing treatment, and 91% in her Class 12 exams.
“I feel that the biggest motivation I had was the desire to chase my dreams, I wanted to set an example for all the cancer patients, by not giving up my wishes and aspirations by being a victim of the disease. Instead, I wanted to be a warrior of this disease,” Madhurima says.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES
The journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Years of intensive cancer treatment — including chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant — left her body frail and prone to infections.
“Recovering from cancer was as challenging as fighting it,” Madhurima says. “My immunity was low, and I was prone to recurrent infections like coughs, colds, and UTIs. I was always fatigued, which made it hard to push my limits physically.”
Even amidst these health struggles, Madhurima stayed focused on her dream. “I was mentally prepared to stay calm with my health limitations and bring out the best from whatever I had,” she says.
SUPPORT FROM ALLEN DIGITAL AND HER FAMILY
Madhurima’s family’s unwavering support and the guidance from her ALLEN Digital teachers played a critical role, she says.
She credits her teachers and mentors for providing her with the structure she needed to succeed in NEET.
“Their live interactive classes, doubt-solving sessions, and comprehensive study materials were a boon for my preparation,” she says.
Her family was her backbone throughout this journey. “My parents and my elder sister were my biggest supporters,” she says.
Her sister, Hriturima Baidya, an intern at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Delhi, even donated her bone marrow to save Madhurima’s life.
“My sister is like my second mother,” Madhurima says. “When I was fighting cancer, she was preparing for her NEET exam. Despite everything, she was my biggest guide. From her experiences, she taught me effective ways to study and manage stress.”
THE DESIRE TO HEAL OTHERS
For Madhurima, the motivation to become a doctor stemmed from her own experiences as a patient.
“My doctors are my angels and my saviours. I am alive because of them,” she says. “Their kindness, calmness, and support inspired me to pursue this noble field. I want to be like them — offering hope and healing to others.”
Her list of inspirations includes the doctors who treated her: Dr. Kalashekhar, Dr. Reetu, Dr. Banavali, and Dr. Vasu.
ADVICE TO ASPIRANTS
To students facing personal or academic struggles, Madhurima offers practical advice. “We all have our ups and downs during preparation — whether it’s self-doubt, backlogs, or a lack of confidence. It’s okay to take breaks sometimes to come back stronger,” she says.
She also highlights the importance of consistency. “The more you revise, the better you learn,” she says. “I used to solve questions provided by ALLEN after live classes. Their material was deeply synchronised with the NEET curriculum.”
Finally, she encourages students to stay optimistic. “A teacher once told me, ‘Karm karte jaao, fal ki chinta mat karo.’ That really stayed with me.”
A SYMBOL OF HOPE
Today, Madhurima stands as an inspiration — not just for students but for anyone facing life’s challenges. Her story is a reminder that determination and support can help overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
As she begins her MBBS journey, Madhurima’s dream of becoming a doctor isn’t just hers anymore; it belongs to every cancer patient who dares to dream beyond their diagnosis.
