Friend smiles after topper’s gesture opens MMC gates

Varshini, a Backward Class (BC) student with a cut-off mark of 199 could have taken an MBBS seat in Madras Medical College (MMC) under the quota for children of ex-servicemen. However, she quota opted out of the counselling on Monday to help her friend Janani N the second ranker in the same category to avail the seat. 

Janani, an Other Communities (OC) student could have missed a chance to study in the coveted college as there is only seat one seat available in MMC under the quota. When it was her turn at the counselling, Varshini asked officials whether she would get a seat in MMC on Tuesday during the general counselling. 

When they said ‘yes’, she opted out by signing the required form stating she would attend the general counselling. Varshini, from Tiruchy said she would join MMC through the general counselling and they would continue to study together. “I have the option to join MBBS in general counselling tomorrow so I have opted out today to help Janani. I am happy to help her,” Varshini who scored 1187 out of 1200 marks in class 12 board exam said. 

“Had Varshini  taken that seat in MMC,  I may have had to join some other college but as she opted out of today’s counselling I was able to join my dream college—MMC. I should thank her for the help she has done,” said Janani, who wants to pursue oncology. Varshini and Janani were classmates at SRV Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Samayapuram in Tiruchy. 

Janani, hailing from from Seerkazhi, had a cut-off mark of  198.75 , to secure the second spot under the children of ex-servicemen quota in  medical counselling this year. The classmates were mobbed by media and onlookers, as the proceedings were a change from the routine.