Notwithstanding her family's impoverished condition and lack of opportunities, Vaishali Wankhede nurtured a dream of becoming a doctor. Now, this Nagpur girl has come one step closer to realizing that dream after clearing the nationwide pre-medical entrance test with flying colours.

And Vaishali, who stays in a slum near posh Ramdaspeth locality, did it in style securing 84% marks in the PMT whose results were recently announced.

Her mother works as a housemaid. Her two brothers abandoned their studies to take up jobs after their father had to stop plying his rickshaw due to failing health.

With their support, Vaishali got admitted to the Muktabai Backward Class Girls' Hostel to pursue her studies. H C Kaliwale who runs a tuition class provided her books and other reading material.

A determined Vaishali burnt the night lamp for about eight to nine hours every day to study while her family provided support and motivation.

Incidentally, she had scored 73% and 81% in her SSC and HSSC examinations, without tuition classes.