The Stethoscope Over the Wedding Saree

On Valentine's Day 2023, a physiotherapy student in Kerala walked into her final university practical viva wearing a white doctor's coat over a gold-trimmed bridal silk saree.

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On the morning of 14 February 2023, Shree Lekshmi Anil, a final-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) student at Bethany Navajeevan College of Physiotherapy in Kollam, Kerala, had two non-negotiable appointments:

1. Her Hindu wedding ceremony.
2. Her final-year university clinical practical viva for the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS).

In Indian academia, missing a practical viva means waiting an entire year for supplementary batches and delaying mandatory clinical internships. Shree Lekshmi decided she was not sacrificing either.

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The Ultimate Uniform Mashup

Fresh from her bridal makeup and adorned in a traditional yellow Kanchipuram silk saree, gold temple jewellery, and jasmine flowers in her hair, Shree Lekshmi arrived on campus in a wedding car.

Before entering the clinical exam ward, she added the final touch: slipping a starched white doctor's lab coat over her saree and draping a stethoscope over her gold necklaces.

The visual was irresistible — half traditional Kerala bride, half practicing medical clinician.

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Applause in the Exam Hall

As she walked into the department, her classmates erupted in cheers and laughter. Her teachers and external examiners, amused and deeply impressed by her commitment, accommodated her turn promptly.

She answered clinical neuro-rehabilitation and musculoskeletal therapy questions with complete composure, demonstrated physical mobility techniques, and received congratulations and blessings from the examination panel.

A short 20-second video of her walking into the lab in full bridal splendour was shared on Instagram by her friends. Within 48 hours, it had accumulated over 5 million views globally, praised as the perfect embodiment of modern Indian women balancing life priorities without compromising their careers.

She cleared the examination with flying colours, made it to her marriage reception on time, and began her clinical internship right on schedule.

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Timeline: INC-ABS-2023-KL-015

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Sources & Further Reading

1. "Kerala Bride Wears Stethoscope Over Saree, Arrives In Lab Coat For Exam" — NDTV, 15 February 2023. ndtv.com
2. "Kerala bride turns up in lab coat, stethoscope for practical exam on wedding day" — The Indian Express, 16 February 2023. indianexpress.com
3. "Stethoscope over bridal saree: Kerala physiotherapy student's video goes viral" — The News Minute, 16 February 2023. thenewsminute.com