Budha hails from Bhatpara, a remote village nestled amidst tea plantations in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, near the Indo-Bhutan border. A member of the Tamang community, classified as a Scheduled Tribe, Budha is a proud Buddhist whose roots trace back to ancestors who migrated from Nepal to India before the partition.
Budha comes from a humble background. His father is a tea plantation worker and does not even use a mobile phone, while his mother is a homemaker. His two elder sisters are studying in government colleges. With a household income of just ₹3000 per month, the family relies on government schemes to stay afloat.
Despite financial constraints, Budha’s family was determined to give him the best possible education. After studying locally till the 8th standard, he was enrolled in an ICSE board school in Jalpaiguri. His academic journey then took a remarkable turn when he was selected by the Navodaya Vidyalaya to pursue his higher secondary education. Recognizing his potential, the school’s alumni association supported his legal aspirations by enrolling him in Legal Edge, Bhopal, for CLAT coaching. He even used scholarship funds meant for children of tea plantation workers to sustain himself during this time.
However, while preparing for CLAT, Budha began experiencing vision problems. He consulted AIIMS doctors in Bhopal, who diagnosed him with 40% permanent visual impairment, warning that without intervention, it could worsen to complete blindness. Undeterred, Budha persevered. He took the necessary medical care and continued his preparation, ultimately cracking CLAT 2023 with flying colours.
With financial hurdles still in the way, Budha reached out to IDIA through an email. The West Bengal Chapter promptly responded, completed his intake, and ensured he could pursue legal education with the support he needed. Budha is currently in his third year of law school.
Outside academics, Budha is a multifaceted individual. He plays the guitar, sings, dances, and was once an enthusiastic athlete. In February 2025, Budha won the 1st Prize in the National Solo Fashion Show for the Totally Blind and Low-Vision Male-Female Category, organized by Radio Udaan in Panchkula, Chandigarh. The event, held at Jatt Bhavan, saw over 300 entries, with Budha advancing through interview rounds to the finals that included a fashion walk, talent showcase, and Q&A. Distinguished guests such as the Mayor of Chandigarh, Harpreet Kaur Babla, and senior officials from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment graced the event.
In January 2024, Budha completed his first legal internship under Advocate Kushal Chatterjee at the Calcutta High Court, in May 2025, he did internship under District Judge Justice Nandan Deb Barman, Judge-in-Charge, Directorate of Industrial Tribunals, West Bengal, after that completed his internship under Advocate Akash Ghosh in January 2026. His ambition is to become a Supreme Court judge. Having witnessed legal illiteracy and systemic injustice first-hand, Budha is determined to become the first lawyer from his village and use his education to uplift his community.
