Before chosing Nahakul, we asked him why he should receive a DFN scholarship, and this is what he wrote:
"A scholarship is definitely what any sensible student would prefer. But, a scholarship is more than just a preference for me, because at my present state, it would be the one and only key to the gateway of my dreams. I belong to a society where people are only just managing to survive in the mouth of poverty. The day I decided I had to become a doctor was when I became aware of the fact that I could not remain blind to suffering. I realise I can no longer watch my people die of 'preventable' diseases.
There are many sources of underdevelopment, but the one that proves to be most fatal is the lack of adequate health care facilities. In my opinion, above anything else is everyone's right to life and this is what I want to ensure: survival, for every human whose existence is threatened by disease. In the case of my own country, being a physician, no political, religious or racial differences could stop me from fulfilling my duty and no matter where I went, I could be of use.
Amidst political turmoil and the growing divide between rich and poor I became seemingly aware of it in my growing years, I admit there have been times my weak financial status has made me feel most unfortunate. Yet, Nepal's, or for that matter, my own district's low literacy rate has made me think otherwise. I am both proud and priviledged to have been picked amoung thousands for a scholarship in one of the most reputed schools of Nepal, Budhanilkantha School ten years ago. If there's one thing my school has taught me, it's that the only true nationality is one called humanity.
Armed with this belief, in me I have the courage to make mistakes and the wisdom to learn from them, if you could call life a building, then yes, I have been to some of the darkest rooms, even lived in them.
Seeing so many faces like my own, I have learnt to reach past the dirt on people's faces and reach for their hearts. Now, I want to take one step further and reach beyond disease. I believe the right diagnosis is not enought to heal all the wounds a patient may be carrying, because not all pain can be derived from pathophysiology alone.
I have always followed my heart and that is why I write to you today. I have found my inner calling and one scholarship can unleash the path I know I was meant to follow. I know it will not be easy but I assure you, I will never fall too many times. If a career in medicine means I can, through my own bare hands, heal effectively and efficiently, to the satisfaction of us both, I know it will pay off, I know it will."
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| Nahakul, Lalit and Christine carrying out interviews for the Health Needs Assessment in Manma village during our trip last January |
