Gaya (Bihar): Patwatoli, a Dalit village in Gaya district has as many as 48 students who have made it to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Four of them made it this year alone.
The village has perpetual power crisis but the IIT aspirants study together and are coached by their successful seniors.
Sandip Kumar, who has just cleared his Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) exam, also helps his father in his small garment factory.
"We can't study at night because there is no electricity but then seniors always guide us," Sandeep says.
Sandeep's father is happy and hoping his son moves out of the village.
"He has to work with me here. It is difficult here so it is better if he studies well," Sandeep's father, Umesh Prasad, says.
The story began in 1992 when the first student from village cleared the exam and there has been no looking back since .
The successful IIT students have set up an organisation called Nav Prayas.
