Rahul Gandhi calls up UP brothers who cracked IIT entrance exam, promises financial help

NEW DELHI: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today spoke to two brothers from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, who have cracked the IIT entrance test, over the phone and assured them all help.

Raju (18) and Brijesh (19), sons of a daily wager, have cleared the IIT Advanced examinations earlier this week but faced financial odds to pursue their dream.

"Congratulations to all those who cracked the IIT. Spoke to Brijesh & Raju from Pratapgarh on their tremendous success against all odds," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Congress sources said that Gandhi spoke to the brothers in the morning and subsequently directed local party leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tewari and his daughter and MLA Aradhana to extend all necessary help to them.

In another tweet, the Congress Vice-President said, "Proud of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for discovering talent from rural areas and giving them such a wonderful springboard."

Both Raju and Brijesh studied at Navodaya Vidyalaya of Pratapgarh. According to media reports, the father of the two students, Dharamraj Saroj, was in need of Rs 1 lakh to pay for his sons' admission fees.

The sources said that after coming to know of it, Gandhi, who is an MP from nearby Amethi constituency, called up local leaders and then spoke directly to the brothers. After hearing out their problems, he assigned the responsibility to Tewari and his daughter to help them arrange the admission fees.

Congress student wing NSUI may also chip in to assist the students' family in getting the money. The family has to arrange the admission fees by June 25.