NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday congratulated Asharam Choudhary, the son of a ragpicker in Madhya Pradesh , who cracked the AIIMS MBBS entrance test in his first attempt.

In a letter to the teenager from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi said the fact that despite challenges Choudhary was able to secure a good rank is a testament to the dedication of his parents and the hard work put in by him.

Choudhary, 18, whose house does not have electricity or a toilet, secured the 141st rank in the OBC category and 707 rank overall in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences entrance test held on May 27.

He also cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), conducted on May 6, bagging the 803rd rank in the OBC category and 2,763 overall.

“I am aware that despite all challenges you were able to secure good rank. It is a testament to their dedication and your hard work that you have performed so well,” he said, adding it gave him immense pleasure to note how Asharam’s village doctor and parents inspired him in his journey and Dakshana Foundation supported him financially. The Congress president also hoped that he would contribute to nation-building and inspire many in the future the same way he was motivated by his village doctor.

Choudhary’s story of travails and triumphs has a hero, Durga Shanker Kumawat, a doctor in his village who inspired him to dream big.

In his letter, the Congress president said, “You remind me of Mahatma Gandhi who used to say: ‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from the indomitable will’.”

