Image Source: TRIBUNE

A US-based foundation has decided to finance the MBBS studies of a poor fatherless girl from Odisha, who was coached in ‘Zindagi’ program run by a non-governmental organization here, in a medical college in the state, an office-bearer of the NGO said on Monday.

The scholarship was awarded by California’s ‘Saloni Heart Foundation’ to Krishna Mohanty, who undertook the program last year.

The scholarship will cover expenses for Mohanty’s studies, food and hostel accommodation at state-run MKCG college in Berhampur, he said, adding that the amount would be sent directly to the institution.

Mohanty is among the 14 students of Bhubaneswar-based Zindagi Foundation -- that runs a free coaching program for medical aspirants from poor financial backgrounds besides bearing their food and lodging expenses -- to have cracked the NEET exam in 2019 for admission into government medical colleges.