From a very young age, Ridiekmen was sure she wanted to be a doctor. But coming from a family of five girls, the dream seemed far-fetched, and it grew even more challenging when she lost her father at a young age.

As the family turned to her mother, a daily-wage labourer, for sustenance, Ridiekmen was determined to do everything in her power to make her family, and especially her late father, proud. A consistent top performer, she saw the door to her dreams open when she was admitted to JNV Kohima, giving her access to Avanti's free, high-quality coaching and mentorship.

Her teachers noted her grit and perseverance and supported her unwaveringly as she pursued her goal. She particularly remembers the mentorship of her Biology teacher at Avanti, who transformed her learning strategies by simplifying concepts, helping with quick revisions, and building intuitive knowledge, and who helped her develop the virtues of a compassionate medical professional.

She devoted many hours to NEET preparation while balancing schoolwork, board exam preparation, and family commitments, mindful of the hardships her mother, the sole breadwinner and her biggest cheerleader, was shouldering. Her family's support, she says, was the single most important factor that helped her push through on days she felt underconfident.

She also underscores the importance of Avanti's intervention: "Avanti's classroom environment was highly interactive, encouraging us to ask questions without hesitation."

Ridiekmen aims to secure a seat at a prestigious government medical college, such as AIIMS or MAMC, that can give her the rigorous training she needs to become a doctor. Rooted in community values, she envisions giving back to the family and village that supported her along the way. "I want to heal the sick and ease their pain and treat my community with care and kindness," she says.

With a re-NEET score of 479, we're proud that her journey is beginning.