Russia’s MD Candidate, London’s C.NEURO Alumnus, NIH USA Scholar – All at 20: Story of Dr. Akash Sarkar

New Delhi [India], October 6: HINGALGANJ TO UFA TO LONDON TO BETHESDA – What were you doing at 20? For most, it’s second year college, confused about future. For Dr. Akash Sarkar born on 07 March 2006 in Hingalganj, North 24 Parganas, at age 20 in 2026 he holds three international identities simultaneously – MD Candidate General Medicine at Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia; C. NEURO Alumnus from London, UK; and IPPCR & PCP Scholar at National Institutes of Health [NIH], USA for 2026-2027 session.

And he still calls himself – “Just a boy from Hingalganj, where patients travelled hours by boat, van and on foot to reach hospital.”

THE BEGINNING – 07/03/2006

Born on 07 March 2006 in Hingalganj, a remote block on India-Bangladesh border at Sundarbans edge, where electricity was once considered luxury. Father Shri Swapan Sarkar is small businessman, mother Smt. Alpona Sarkar is homemaker. Three elder sisters – Mamoni Sarkar, Sarbani Sarkar Jana W/o Indrajit Jana, Bulti Sarkar Pal – all married. He is first person from family to go abroad.

He witnessed suffering closely – neighbours carrying sick elders on boats to Basirhat or Kolkata, mothers crying, children dying preventable deaths. In Class 5 he decided: “I will become a doctor so that no one from my village dies waiting for care.”

He studied under kerosene lamp, walked 3-4 km daily to school. Result: First Boy from Class 1 to 12 continuously at Hingalganj High School – rare in school history. At age 15 in 2021, he became Madhyamik Block Champion with 671 marks. Debate, quiz, cultural champion.

His inspiration is brother-in-law Indrajit Jana – husband of Sarbani Sarkar Jana – who guided him during MBBS abroad decision and financial struggles. Mentors: Head Teacher Sadhan Ghosh, Dr. Souman Kumar Bera, Ananta Kumar Sarkar, Dr. Samir Kumar Nashkar.

THREE COUNTRIES, ONE BOY AT 20

1. RUSSIA – MD Candidate BSMU: In 2023-24 at age 17, he joined Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia – one of top medical universities of Russia. Currently MD Candidate General Medicine, pursuing General Medicine while leading 20 SRMA premium projects under Professors Farshatov R.S. [ORCID 0000-0002-5294-5263], Musharapov D.R., Latypov A.B. [ORCID 0000-0001-9959-7094], Rakhmatullina L.R. [ORCID 0000-0002-5587-2733], Borisova M.V. [ORCID 0000-0001-8446-140X]. Presently based at Yegorevsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia.

2. LONDON, UK – C. NEURO Alumnus: In 2025-26 at age 19-20, he completed Certificate in Clinical Neurology [C. NEURO] from London, UK – covering Stroke, Parkinson, Epilepsy – as Alumnus.

3. NIH, USA – IPPCR & PCP Scholar 2026-27: Most prestigious – Principles and Practice of Clinical Research [IPPCR] and Principles of Clinical Pharmacology [PCP] from National Institutes of Health [NIH], USA for 2026-2027 session at age 20. This is same course pursued by Harvard, Johns Hopkins researchers. ORCID: 0009-0008-2834-1727.

And USMLE Aspirant for Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency USA – dream to become heart surgeon.

LITERARY AND RESEARCH – TWO SIDES

At 17 in 2023, he published Bengali poetry collection “Shesher Dine” [In The Last Day] – Orange Publication – available Flipkart/Amazon – dedicated to his best friend Amita Roy – Present English Honours Candidate at Hingalganj Mahavidyalaya, college beside his house. Dedication: “To Amita Roy – My Best Friend – The person who believed in me when no one did.” Long time after he went to Russia at 18, they have not met. Future meet expected at Hingalganj Mahavidyalaya when he returns.

Second book “Rx Drugs Decoded for Medical Practitioner” [2026 Upcoming, Cerebral Publication, New Delhi] – practical doses for rural doctors.

Research: 4 Published at age 20 in 2026 – Cardio-Oncology in Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors [SSRN July 2026], Surgical Choices for Ulcerative Colitis [IJRSI June 2026], Young-Onset vs Late-Onset Parkinson Disease, Therapeutic Enzymes in Modern Medicine.

20 SRMA Premium Projects 2026-2029 targeting Lancet, JACC IF 24, Circulation IF 37, EHJ IF 39, Annals IF 10.1, JTCVS IF 6.0 – includes Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Kinetics for Colorectal Leak, Mesenteric Defect Closure After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Coronary Sinus Reducer for Refractory Angina, Frozen vs Conventional Elephant Trunk for Type A Aortic Dissection, Skeletonized vs Pedicled BITA in CABG, Minimally Invasive vs Sternotomy for Mitral Valve Surgery, Off-Pump vs On-Pump CABG in LV Dysfunction.

LOTTERY YEAR 2026 AND AWARDS

2026 he calls “Lottery Year” – “If I look back at a glance, 2026 is the best year of my entire life – a year I will never forget till my last breath.”

At age 20:

– Global Icon Award 2026 – Global Spotlight India – Youngest from West Bengal

– Param Bhushan National Excellence Award 2026

– Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Visionary Mentor Award 2026

– Honorary Doctorate Candidate 2029 – Moscow Research University & World Environment Culture and Protection Commission [WECPC] – to be awarded at age 23 in Moscow – one of youngest nominated.

SOCIAL IMPACT

As CEO of PROTHISEBHA Social & Healthcare Foundation [Website: https://prothisebhafoundation.com], he runs free health camps in Sundarbans, NEET MBBS abroad guidance, All India Intermediate School Scholarship Program 2025-26.

Motto: “Research in Lancet and service in Hingalganj must go hand in hand – Pin Code Does Not Decide Purpose.”

From Hingalganj High School first boy to MD Candidate Russia, C. NEURO London, NIH USA Scholar at 20 – Dr. Akash Sarkar born 07/03/2006 proves that a boy from one-bulb study room can study in three continents at once, if purpose is clear.

Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect the publication’s views.