Krishnan, who born in Nelakottai of Bandhalur taluk of Nilgiris district, became not only the Doctor but also the first graduate from the area. Touristy Nilgiris is a place that people want to visit but not stay. For some, however, Nilgiris is home, as it is for Krishnan. His father, Subramani, has studied up to third standard and is a worker at Rockwood Estate tea plantation. His mother, Mahalakshmi, hasn’t studied in school and works at the same tea plantation. Krishnan has a sister and a brother.
Located some 60km from the town are a row of houses amidst the tea plantation there. Krishnan’s family of five used to live in one such house. Subramani was particular that his children should study, not toil in tea plantations when they grow up.
Krishnan went to government school at Thevar Solai some 10 km away from his home. The bus would leave at 7:30am and by the time he returned it would be 6pm. Rains would disrupt going to school. Power cuts would interrupt his studies. Yet, Krishnan scored 464 out of 500 in Class 10. His high marks helped him to get admission at a residential school called Vidya Mandir in Dharmapuri on full scholarship. Krishnan scored 1162 out of 1200 in Class 12.
Krishnan wrote to Agaram foundation explaining his and family situation. They wrote back asking him to contact them after they finished Class 12. Krishnan had scored 99% in Biology, 96% in Physics and 98% in Chemistry.
He joined Government Medical College at Coimbatore in 2012 to study MBBS. Having studied in Tamil medium, Krishnan’s first year was difficult since all the learning was in English. Agaram Foundation helped him to learn spoken English at an institute in Coimbatore. In 2018, Krishnan passed out with distinction, scoring more than 75% overall, and got his MBBS.
After graduation, Krishnan was working in private hospitals for a year & prepare for PG entrance during the day. He passed the state service exam and was admitted to government service in March 2019. Today, he serves at the Primary Health Center in his village as per Agaram Pledge “We will share what we have learned and gained with others”.