For most of us a disability is usually something that is apparent and visible to the eye, so when 17-year old Yukesh S, walked into the medical counselling for the differently-abled students' category, it did cause some surprise. 

Besides a slight limp when he walks, Yukesh shows no signs of being different, he is articulate and confident. However, Yukesh's problem is internal - a bleeding disorder, a condition where in the case of an injury, his blood doesn't clot like it does in regular people. "My blood doesn't stop flowing, even a small injury could cause internal bleeding," Yukesh explained, conjuring up images of Atharvaa from Eetti.

I did apply for engineering and got called for counselling but then I was pretty sure I would get through medical counselling, so I didn't attend the engineering counselling

Yukesh S, a native of Dindigul

A native of Dindigul and the son of a farmer and a teacher, Yukesh has worked hard all his life to reach the stage he is at now.  He not only secured the 2nd rank in the Physically handicapped OBC category but also managed to score 1087 in his State board exams. "I did apply for engineering and got called for counselling but then I was pretty sure I would get through medical counselling, so I didn't attend the engineering counselling." 

The 17-year-old also spent a month in Kerala for coaching classes for NEET and both his parents also moved to the state to support their son. Yukesh has been placed at Coimbatore Medical College, "I preferred Coimbatore because the medical facilities there are also better for my condition." 

Yukesh's father Soundarajan stood proudly beside his son as he received his allotment order and when asked if he was worried at all about his son embarking on such a challenging and difficult career, Soundaraj said he knew his son is capable of doing anything he sets his eyes on 

Yukesh's father Soundarajan stood proudly beside his son as he received his allotment order and when asked if he was worried at all about his son embarking on such a challenging and difficult career, Soundaraj said he wasn't even in the least worried. "Not just now he has always been a very hardworking and responsible boy. Not just me, all the people who know him will tell you with 100 percent confidence that he would be able to manage perfectly well on his own. So I know he will do well and continue to work hard," he said with a bright smile.

While other selected students chose cardiology or neurology and other such specialisations, Yukesh said he would prefer to go into research. He wants to study genetics he says before quickly adding, "But in the future I don't know if my mind will change but for now, I wish to get into research."