Bhubaneswar, Feb. 14 -- He dreamt of excelling in his studies, building a successful career and lifting his poor parents and sisters out of hardship. But fate has dealt a cruel blow. Satyaprakash Swain, a meritorious Class X student from Ramchandrapur village under Astaranga block in Odisha's Puri district, is now battling a serious kidney disease and lies bedridden, his once-bright future clouded by uncertainty.

Satyaprakash, the only son of daily wage labourer Panchanan Swain, had made his family, school and village proud by excelling in scholarship examinations at both district and state levels. He had received awards from Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and the District Collector in recognition of his academic achievements.

How...