From Relief Camp to Medical College: The Incredible Journey of a Manipur Student
Shitaljit Tongbram, a 21-year-old from Manipur who lived through displacement and the hardship of living in a relief camp, has secured admission into an MBBS program — a journey he began studying at a community library that kept its doors open for students like him. On his way to Imphal airport on 22 September 2025 to fly to Guwahati for enrolment formalities, he stopped to thank the staff of the Books and Brains Library for two years of support that helped him prepare under difficult circumstances.
Shitaljit Tongbram is 21 years old. His family of five — father, mother, a younger brother and sister — were displaced amid unrest and at one point lived in a relief camp before moving back to a relative’s house in Imphal. The upheaval made concentrating on studies extremely difficult, yet Shitaljit persisted and won a seat for MBBS in Guwahati. Just before departing for enrolment procedures on 22 September, he paused at a local learning space — the Books and Brains Library — to thank staff who provided him a quiet, encouraging place to study for two years. Those are details worth pausing on because they tell you how fragile success can be: it’s often a chain of small supports, not one big hero.
FAQs
Q1: Who is the student featured in the NDTV story and what milestone did he reach?
A1: The student is Shitaljit Tongbram, aged 21, who secured admission into an MBBS program and was on his way to Guwahati for enrolment. He studied at the Books and Brains Library for two years while his family was displaced
Q2: How did living in a relief camp affect his studies?
A2: Living in a relief camp disrupted routine, made concentrating difficult, and created instability. Access to the community library, however, provided a stable space to study and prepare consistently for entrance exams.
Q3: What role did the Books and Brains Library play?
A3: The library acted as a safe study space and support environment where Shitaljit could attend regular study sessions, access resources, and receive encouragement from staff and volunteers — critical elements for his NEET preparation.
Q4: What are the major challenges for students transitioning from relief camps to college?
A4: Challenges include logistical hurdles (travel, hostel seats, fees), psychological stress from past trauma, cultural acclimatisation to new cities, and maintaining coursework in demanding programs — areas where targeted support is vital.
Q5: How can communities support more students like Shitaljit?
A5: Communities can help by volunteering time for mentoring, donating study materials, funding local learning centres, advocating for scholarships, and creating networks that support the student’s transition and mental wellbeing.
