India’s real-life ‘Doogie Howser’, Sushma Verma, to pursue Masters in Microbiology at age 13
A 13-year-old academic whiz from Uttar Pradesh will be attending India’s Lucknow University to pursue her graduate work in Microbiology, in an inspiring, real-life “Doogie Howser” story.
Sushma Verma
Image/Video Screen Shot
Her name is Sushma Verma and her amazing story includes graduating from high school at the age of seven, achieving the title of “youngest Indian” to do this, to taking the Combined Pre Medical Test at age 10 to her pursuance of a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Microbiology next week.
Sushama’s name is also mentioned in the Limca Book of Records.
According to a One India report, Sushma, who is the daughter of Tej Bahadur Verma, a daily wage laborer whose daily wage is approximately 200 rupees (less than $3.50) a day, plans on later pursuing her doctorate.
“After MSc I will not be able to sit for CPMT because of my age. So, I will do a PhD”, she said.
The Associated Press reports her father is already ferrying her to and from campus each day on his bicycle so she can meet with teachers before classes begin.
Presently, Sushma lives in a small room with a kitchen with with her three younger siblings and her parents in Lucknow, where she says her most prized possession include a study table and a second-hand computer.
It is not a great atmosphere for studying, she admitted. “There are a lot of dreams … All of them cannot be fulfilled.”
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Good luck, girl!