In June 2018, Goa’s medical and student communities were bursting
with pride over the news that Aumkar Kishore Shah, a student of Mushtifund
Aryaan Higher Second School, Cujira, had secured the all-India rank of 28 at
the All India Institute of Medicine Sciences (AIIMS) entrance test, earning him
a seat at AIIMS, Delhi. As 2022 draws to a close, Dr Aumkar Shah continues to
impress with his exemplary academic record and monumental achievements at
India’s premier medical institute.
While bagging a seat at AIIMS is the
ultimate aim of several medical aspirants, it was just the starting point for
Dr Shah. The son of Mr Kishore Shah, renowned talent analyst and managing
trustee GDP Foundation, and Dr Hemangini Shah, Professor of Community Medicine
at Goa Medical College (GMC), Dr Aumkar Shah’s journey at AIIMS has been
meritorious and highly commendable. He was awarded the Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust
prize in biochemistry in 2019 and secured the second rank during his first MBBS
exams. He was received a gold medal for securing the first rank at his second
MBBS exam, as well as the award for Best Undergraduate Student for topping in
Microbiology, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. He was the
only student from AIIMS Delhi to be selected for an internship at the Robert
Bosch centre for product design at IISc, Bangalore. After being awarded gold
medals for securing the second overall rank at AIIMS Delhi’s Final Professional
MBBS exams and topping Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Community Medicine, he has
finally earned the title of ‘doctor’.
When asked about his reaction after attaining this title, Dr
Aumkar Shah reflected upon his journey thus far. “After four and a half years
of medical school, which at times takes you to your breaking point, earning the
title of doctor was a very happy moment for me. It’s also a great
responsibility, responsibility for people’s lives and health. I feel really
honoured and humbled. I would like to highlight my thanks to God and my parents
who have always been there to support me. I would also like to thank the former
Chief Minister of Goa, late Shri. Manohar Parrikar. He always encouraged me
despite his busy schedule ever since our first interaction in 2014, after my
father and I made it into the Limca Book of Records. When I cleared the AIIMS
entrance test in 2018, he had been diagnosed with cancer, but still made it a
point to interact with me before I left for my MBBS. His advice to me was just
two words –“boro shik”- study well. During his final phase of treatment at
AIIMS I used to visit him once a month whenever I could, to check up on him and
update him about my progress. After his heart breaking demise, I felt like it
was my mission to follow his advice and perform well at the professional
examinations as a tribute to him. His advice has always motivated me and I hope
my example serves as motivation for my juniors and for all medical students,
especially those from Goa. With hard work and sincere efforts, every
achievement is possible.”
Dr Shah also shared his experience at AIIMS New Delhi and his
opinion of why the institute provides an optimal learning environment. “AIIMS
is India’s premier medical institute. Its three pillars are patient care,
education and clinical research. Due to its reputation as an apex institute, it
receives a high load of patients. This can be hectic for students when they
begin with clinical postings, but the variety of cases and diversity of
exposure offers us huge learning potential. AIIMS highly focuses on
undergraduate research, providing grants and scholarships for students to
undertake and publish medically relevant research, even in the form or research
posters displayed at AIIMS Research Day. One of my research papers has been
published in the Current Health Sciences Journal. Medical education is also a
priority. AIIMS is home to the best labs, mannequins and simulations. The
country’s topmost doctors share their unique experiences with students during
lectures”.
A
message that Dr Shah would like to share with medical aspirants is “Always have
love for the subjects. A higher purpose will guide and energise you when you’re
stressed or at your lowest. Dedication to saving lives, helping humanity and
improving the lives of those around you is a source of strength even under the
hardest conditions.”
