Poverty shouldn’t stop anyone from chasing dreams, says Handwara NEET qualifier

Srinagar, Sept 07: Despite having no coaching, a 19-year-old girl from Bakiaker village of Handwara has qualified for NEET 2024 with flying colours.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, the aspiring doctor shared, “Like other students, I too thought that without attending coaching in big centers, I could never crack any prestigious exam. However, my teachers encouraged me, saying that if one works hard, coaching isn’t necessary. I could have pursued coaching, but my financial constraints never allowed me. I had no money for coaching centers, nor did I have the means to travel to Srinagar or elsewhere for it.”
“My parents always said they would provide me with whatever I needed, but I was well aware of my family’s financial difficulties and never pressured them. I just kept working hard, and God has rewarded my efforts,” she added.
She completed her basic education at a local government school and studied from 6th to 10th grade at the Government Secondary School in Bakiaker, Handwara, where she discovered her passion. “My teachers played a significant role in my success. They were always available to help me,” she said.
She advised other students never to lose hope and to focus on self-study and hard work. “They should clear their doubts early on. I, too, had low marks in my first board examinations, but I never looked back and kept working hard.”
She continued, “Until my 10th grade, I was unsure about what I wanted to do. After receiving my 10th-grade results, a teacher visited me and said I could become a doctor. That moment stayed with me, and since then, I have worked tirelessly, and the result is before everyone now.”
She encouraged others, “Those who want to chase their dreams should never blame poverty for stopping them. Instead, they should work hard and pursue their dreams.”
One of her teachers, Mushtaq Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir, “She was a brilliant student, and we always had faith that she would make us proud. In her classes, she always asked questions whenever she had doubts.”