Fisherman’s son walks 2km daily for internet access; Cracks CSIR NET, dreams to buy a house for his father

In a viral YouTube video, 24-year old Manoj Bar, the son of a fisherman from Odisha, is seen thanking Alakh sir, the founder of Physics Wallah, for his support. Manoj secured an All India Rank of 115 in the

CSIR NET exam and is now set to embark on his PhD journey.

From an early age, Manoj faced significant hurdles in his pursuit of education. Each day, he walks 2 kilometers for internet access, going to a friend’s house to download study materials, which he then reviews at home. During his college years, he endured a 30-kilometer commute each day, never wavering in his commitment to academics.
Manoj's journey has been driven by a deep desire to achieve financial stability for his family, especially after his father’s hernia surgery, due to which he was unable to continue working as a fisherman. To support his family, Manoj began tutoring younger students, earning around ₹6,000–₹7,000 per month. He later also started mentoring high school students at a local coaching center, while his mother, Niyati, contributed by stitching fishing nets at ₹20 per piece. His parents always worked tirelessly to help him achieve his dreams.

After high school, he considered fishing for income, but his mother encouraged him to continue studying. Due to limited resources and lack of awareness about JEE or NEET, he wasn’t able to pursue these exams.
Inspired by his teachers, Manoj pursued higher education despite limited resources and a lack of awareness about exams like JEE and NEET. He joined Physics Wallah’s (PW) Shodh Batch, where he found support from mentors like Alakh sir, Vipin sir, and Pankaj sir, who motivated him to excel.
Manoj expressed deep gratitude to Alakh sir for the support that guided him to this achievement. While he aspires to teach and pursue research at institutions like IITs and CSIR Labs, his immediate priority is ensuring stability for his family as he begins the next phase of his academic journey