Latest news with #JointAdmissionTestforMaster
NDTV
20-07-2025
- NDTV
Kedarnath Pony Handler's Son Cracks IIT-JAM, Gets Admission At IIT Madras
Atul Kumar, the son of a pony handler from Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, has cleared the IIT-JAM (Joint Admission Test for Master's) and secured a seat at the prestigious IIT Madras, reports ANI. Atul used to guide ponies and help pilgrims on the steep mountain paths of Kedarnath Dham to support his family. Today, he is set to begin a new chapter at one of India's top engineering institutes. "In the beginning, I didn't even know what IIT was," Atul told ANI. "Growing up, water shortages and lack of awareness kept us from dreaming big. I wasn't interested in engineering until a teacher introduced me to the idea of doing a master's at IIT. That changed everything." Atul worked in Kedarnath during the busy pilgrimage season in June, living in tents without mobile networks. He began preparing for the JAM exam only in July after returning home. His friend Mahavir, who had already prepared for the exam, shared notes and helped him study. From July to January, I studied regularly. The exam was in February, he said. In Kedarnath, Atul helped manage pilgrim travel by arranging ponies, carrying goods, and walking along dangerous routes in difficult weather. Despite the tough conditions, he remained determined. "My biggest motivation was to move ahead in life -- to escape that place and create something better for myself," he said. His father, a pony handler, is the main earner for the family. Atul used to assist him during holidays. His elder sister is married, and his younger sister recently completed her education. Now, with admission secured at IIT Madras, Atul says the response from the community has been overwhelming. "More than my own joy, it was the happiness on others' faces that touched me -- from teachers to people who never even taught me, everyone called to congratulate me," he said. Sharing a message for students from similar backgrounds, Atul said that if his story encourages even a few students to keep going despite hardships, then he has achieved something meaningful.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Kedarnath youth, who lived in tents and carried pilgrims' luggage, cracks IIT Madras. Check his motivation behind this journey
While most students prepare for competitive exams in air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi and coaching classes, Atul Kumar was hauling luggage for pilgrims along the rugged trails of Kedarnath . Living in tents with no internet and barely enough time or resources, Atul still managed to do the unthinkable—he cracked the IIT Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM) and secured admission into the prestigious IIT Madras . Atul, a young man from the hills of Uttarakhand , used to support his family by guiding horses and mules along the steep pilgrim paths of Kedarnath Dham. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he opened up about how his journey from a modest background led him to one of India's top institutes. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Management Others Leadership MBA others Data Science healthcare CXO Operations Management Product Management Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing PGDM Technology Design Thinking Finance Data Analytics Public Policy Cybersecurity Project Management Data Science Degree Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details What changed everything for Atul? He shared that initially, he had no clue what IIT even was. He revealed that growing up, he faced water shortage challenges and had limited awareness about education. It wasn't until a teacher told him about the possibility of pursuing a master's degree at IIT that his mindset shifted. That moment, he says, 'changed everything.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo How did Atul prepare for IIT? Atul began preparing for the JAM exam in July, after returning from his seasonal work in Kedarnath. He was working there in June. There was no network, and he lived in tents, so studying wasn't possible, he mentioned. However, once back, he got help from his friend Mahavir, who shared his own notes from previous preparations. With dedication, Atul studied consistently leading up to the February exam. His family background added to the pressure. Atul's father works as a horse handler, their main source of income. Meanwhile, his elder sister is married, and the younger one just completed her education. What was his biggest motivation? During his time in Kedarnath, Atul handled tough tasks—carrying goods, managing logistics for pilgrims, and supporting them on treacherous terrain. Despite the physical strain, he kept his eyes on the goal: building a better life for himself. He told ANI that his biggest motivation was to move ahead in life, escape his place and create something better for himself.
