NAGPUR: Raju Durgam's parents never attended school, and struggle to eke out a living from menial jobs, barely earning a shade over Rs 6,000 a month.

But their strong desire to ensure their son did not spend his life in poverty made them spare no expenses on his education.

Their dream finally came true on Tuesday when 18-year-old Raju, a tribal youth from Sironcha in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, cracked NEET with a score that has ensured him a seat in a top government college."My parents cannot read or write, but they always wanted me to get a proper education.

They work on the farm, which helps to sustain us, apart from taking up odd jobs," said Raju.NGO: Aim to have hundreds of tribals cracking NEET annually The Durgams' meagre earning from their two-acre farm and labour work did not deter them from spending Rs 20,000 annually on Raju's education and hostel fees in Sironcha town.

"After studying till class 3 in my village, I had to move out for higher classes.

My parents did not think twice about the expenses and ensured that they saved up for my lodging and boarding, apart from school fees," said Raju."After class 10, I met a relative who was studying in Pune and suggested that I, too, must make the move because of more options available there for competitive exams," he said.

Again, his parents did not get intimidated by the cost and happily shelled out more than Rs 20,000 for his initial expenses.Fortunately, the Durgams were spared further burden as Raju came in contact with an NGO in Pune, Lift For Upliftment, which bore his further expenses and helped him reach his goal.Atul Dhakne, president of the NGO, and his team help tribals from Melghat, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and other areas crack NEET by providing free residential coaching through public-private partnership and donations.TOI had reported about a group of doctors and MBBS students from Pune, who volunteer to teach these tribal students for the medical entrance examination."Our ultimate mission is to have hundreds of tribals cracking NEET every year.

We need to empower tribal community," said Dhakne, who recently secured a high rank in UPSC civil service exams.

Raju, who scored 542 marks, is guaranteed a spot in a top government college, since he will get the benefit of ST quota.

"After I complete my education, I wish to come back to Gadchiroli and serve the community here," he said.