Defying odds, mason couple’s son from Gujarat makes it to IIT

The hard work and determination of Baberiya Sukrambhai have proved that ‘Where there is a will, there is way’. The 21-year-old did his family and neighbourhood proud by becoming the first person from his village to get admission in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Baberiya Sukrambhai

Baberiya Sukrambhai hails from the modest village of Chandwana in Dahod district of Gujarat. His father Sumabhai and mother Kamodiben work as masons at construction sites in Ahmedabad.

Baberiya, who cleared Gate 2021 with 251 marks without any coaching, is currently pursuing MTech in Agriculture Biotechnology from IIT Kharagpur. He also received calls from IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati, but he was interested in studying at IITKGP.

He said, “My parents have been working at construction sites for the past 30 years. Despite great difficulties, they provided me with good education and stood by me all the time. My father also borrowed money to support my education. Two of my three sisters could not pursue their further studies due to financial constraints. During vacation, I used to go to the construction site to support my parents while I was doing my BTech. It was only in the fourth year that I stopped helping them as I had to prepare for GATE.”

Baberiya developed interest for IIT during graduation

He said, “I was not clear about my future goals due to lack of career guidance. I took NEET after completing Class 12 in 2017. Though I qualified the exam, I was not satisfied with my score. I then took the Gujarat Common Entrance Exam (GUCET) with the help of which I got admission in Aspee Shakilam Biotechnology Institute, Surat, where I pursued BTech in biotechnology. I never heard of IIT before graduation, my super senior, who is also studying at IITKGP, motivated me to set eyes on IITs. I thank him and my teachers for showing me the right path.”

When asked about his future plans, Baberiya said, “First of all, I want to become financially independent. I don’t like to see my father working at this age and want to help him financially. I would either take up a job or would undertake research work in the field of agriculture biotechnology after completing my masters.”

“I want to advice village children to follow their dreams as growing up poor can’t stop them from reaching great heights. I have told them that if I, coming from a poor background, can make it big then why can’t they,” he signed off.

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