Sometimes, life throws challenges at you that seem impossible to overcome, and it’s easy to believe that your circumstances define your destiny. But every now and then, someone comes along and defies all odds, showing the world that nothing is impossible with a little determination, a bit of help, and a whole lot of heart.
Dr. Pinki Haryan is one of those people — a woman whose journey will leave you speechless.
A young girl, no more than eight years old, rummaging through garbage dumps for food and begging on the streets of McLeodganj alongside her parents. That girl is Pinki Haryan, and if someone had told her then that one day she’d be called “Doctor,” she probably would have laughed. Fast forward two decades, and today, Pinki Haryan stands proudly as a qualified doctor, having gone from begging for food to holding a stethoscope. If this isn’t the most inspiring journey, I don’t know what is!
A Childhood of Hardships
Pinki Haryan was born into extreme poverty, with her family struggling to make ends meet in McLeodganj, a small town in the northern part of India. Her parents, Kashmiri Lal and her mother, lived day to day, begging on the streets to survive. Food was scarce, and any hope for a better future seemed far-fetched, almost like a fantasy.
https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FtHnUrIBpwR8%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtHnUrIBpwR8&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FtHnUrIBpwR8%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube
The streets became her home, and the garbage bins, her source of food. Education? A luxury that seemed out of reach. Like many children in such dire conditions, Pinki had no dream of becoming anything more than what her life had shown her so far — poverty, begging, and survival.
But life, as they say, is full of surprises, and Pinki’s story was about to take a twist that would change her fate forever.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
In 2004, a kind-hearted Tibetan refugee monk, Lobsang Jamyang, happened to spot young Pinki while she was begging in McLeodganj. Jamyang, the director of the Tong-Len Charitable Trust, had dedicated his life to helping children escape the cycle of poverty. When he saw Pinki’s bright eyes, filled with potential, he knew she was meant for something more.
However, there was a small (okay, huge) problem — Pinki’s parents were not keen on the idea of education. Her father, Kashmiri Lal, wasn’t convinced that school could offer his daughter anything better than what the streets had taught her. After hours of persuasion, Jamyang finally managed to convince them to allow Pinki to leave the streets and pursue an education.
And just like that, Pinki’s life began to change. She was enrolled in Dayanand Public School in Dharamshala, becoming one of the first children to live in a hostel for destitute kids set up by Tong-Len Charitable Trust. Her journey from begging to books had officially begun!
The First Step Towards Education
At first, Pinki missed her home — if you can call the streets of McLeodganj a home — and the familiar faces of her parents. Living in a hostel with other children, adjusting to school, and the whole concept of formal education was daunting. But as time went on, she realized that education was the key to breaking free from the chains of poverty.
With Jamyang’s support and the guidance of Ajay Srivastava, the president of the Umang Foundation (another NGO that supported her education), Pinki poured her heart into her studies. She worked day and night, determined to make something of herself, not just for her own sake but for her family and the people who had believed in her.
Get Aniket Singh’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.Subscribe
And guess what? Pinki excelled! She passed her senior secondary exams with flying colors and, in a jaw-dropping moment of achievement, she successfully cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) — the all-India entrance exam for medical courses. Just imagine the thrill of a girl who once rummaged through garbage dumps now holding an admission letter to medical school!
But Wait, There’s a Catch…
While Pinki’s academic success was nothing short of extraordinary, there was one more hurdle to overcome: money. Medical school fees in India, especially in private colleges, were exorbitant. And for someone who came from a background of poverty, finding the funds to pursue her dreams felt like yet another impossible challenge.
But as we’ve seen, Pinki’s story is all about defying the odds! With the continued support of the Tong-Len Charitable Trust and their connections in the United Kingdom, Pinki was able to secure enough financial aid to join a prestigious medical college in China in 2018. Yes, China! Because when you’re determined to become a doctor, you go wherever the opportunity takes you.
From Begging to a White Coat
Fast forward to today, and Pinki Haryan is officially a qualified doctor. Her journey, spanning more than two decades, has transformed her from a child living on the streets to a respected medical professional with a stethoscope around her neck. She is now equipped with the knowledge and skills to save lives, and the best part? She plans to give back to the community that helped her succeed.
Pinki’s story is more than just a tale of personal triumph — it’s a reminder that every child has potential, no matter their circumstances. It’s about how one act of kindness, one opportunity, can change the trajectory of someone’s life forever. Her journey from street food to stethoscope is a living testament to the power of perseverance, education, and above all, hope.
Uplifting the Underdog
And while Pinki’s journey is truly inspiring, it’s worth mentioning that there are many unsung heroes working behind the scenes to uplift others like her. One such person is Baba Ram Rahim, whose initiatives have had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of underprivileged children.
In particular, his focus on education for children from destitute backgrounds is creating ripples of positive change. Through several initiatives, Ram Rahim is ensuring that no child is left behind, regardless of their socio-economic status:
- The Bud of Knowledge — Promoting girls’ education through awareness and financial assistance, so they can receive coaching for competitive exams like NEET, just like Pinki did.
- Child Protection — Putting a stop to child labor and encouraging families to invest in their children’s education rather than sending them to work or beg.
- Real Education — Offering career counseling and financial support to students from poor families, helping them achieve their academic dreams.
- Dint of Hard Work Alone — Shunning the practice of begging by educating beggars about the value of hard work and assisting them in transitioning into mainstream society.
Pinki Haryan’s journey from begging on the streets to becoming a doctor mirrors the core values of these initiatives — hard work, education, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance at a better life.
Through his relentless efforts, Ram Rahim has motivated countless individuals, showing them that with the right support and determination, anyone can turn their life around. And in Pinki’s case, she’s not just turning her life around — she’s now in a position to save lives as well. From street food to stethoscope, Dr. Pinki Haryan’s journey is living proof that the human spirit is indomitable.
And who knows? The next great story of triumph might just be around the corner, waiting for someone to lend a helping hand.
