Dr. Shafiya: From a Remote Village to Medical Excellence

In the tranquil village of Bagepalli, just outside Bangalore, Shafiya harbored a dream—to become a doctor and serve her nation. Though a noble dream, it was an expensive one, with her father working as an electrician and her mother a homemaker.

A stellar student, Shafiya completed her schooling in Bagepalli with scholarship support, achieving impressive results in her Board Exams. Her academic prowess earned her the 6^th rank at the state level in her 12^th-grade board exams. However, the hurdle of securing financial support for a professional course loomed large.

Her breakthrough came from learning about the Cadence Scholarship Program through her school. While diligently preparing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) that medical aspirants have to take for college admission, Shafiya wasted no time in applying for the scholarship.

Shafiya's dedication and hard work paid off. She secured a coveted admission at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, for an MBBS course.

During her challenging journey, Ms. Likitha Maringanti, Shafiya's mentor from Cadence, played a pivotal role in enhancing her soft skills. Shafiya says, "Likitha Ma'am has addressed each of my problems, both academic and non-academic, which helped me to improve. She has guided me in building essential qualities as a doctor—leadership, communication skills, compassion."

Recognizing the need for a medical mentor, Cadence and Joining Hands introduced Shafiya to Dr. Varsha Khandelwal. Through video call interactions, Dr. Khandelwal provided guidance, such as making the best use of clinical postings, preparation for exams, and opportunities after MBBS. 

Shafiya is now in the final phase of her course, completing her residency at Adichunchagiri Hospital and Research Centre.

Shafiya envisions returning to her hometown of Bagepalli, where medical facilities are lacking, to serve her community. Her ultimate goal is to provide a comfortable life for her parents, acknowledging the sacrifices they have made so that she can pursue her dreams.