Financial assistance and long-term mentorship from Father Abraham Karukaparambil have enabled four young men from economically disadvantaged families in Odisha to complete their medical education and begin serving in government healthcare institutions.
Dr. Sailendu Singh, from Alanjuri village in Kandhamal district, said financial hardship almost forced him to discontinue his MBBS studies at St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. His circumstances changed when Father Abraham stepped in to support him, contributing nearly ₹1 lakh annually and offering consistent encouragement throughout his academic journey. Singh now serves as a government medical officer at Subarnagiri Community Health Centre in Kandhamal.
Three other students also completed their MBBS with similar support. Dr. Sarada Charan Bardhan from Birikote Parish in the Berhampur Diocese has joined St. John’s Medical College as an orthopaedic doctor while pursuing postgraduate studies. Dr. Kusum Nayak from Gajapati district works as a government medical officer at Subarnagiri Community Health Centre, and Akshya Montry from the Berhampur Diocese serves at Kashinagar Community Health Centre in Gajapati district.
A native of Kerala, Father Abraham has served in Odisha for over three decades, focusing on the education and upliftment of Dalit and tribal communities. He is currently ministering in Texas under the Archdiocese of San Antonio, USA. According to Father Abraham, he presently supports 47 students across India pursuing professional education, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other higher studies. Over the years, hundreds of students from financially weak backgrounds have benefited from his assistance, with many now working as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers and civil servants, including professionals in leading national institutions.
