Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Jul 17 : Defying all odds, a 20-year-old son of a daily-wage labourer from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district has qualified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) through self-study, overcoming financial constraints and lack of access to formal coaching that plagues thousands of aspirants from the region.
Faizan Bhat, a resident of Gushi village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district secured the feat after three years of rigorous preparation, including a drop year, relying primarily on online lectures and self-study from his home, setting an inspiring example for countless underprivileged students across the Valley.
“One reason is our financial condition, and the second is that I enjoy studying alone. I took online lectures and did the majority of self-study in a closed room,” Faizan told The Web Story/The Varmul Post.
He completed his 11th and 12th through dummy schooling from Karihama while staying at home, unlike most NEET aspirants in the Valley who migrate to Srinagar or other cities for specialised coaching. He had earlier scored 95 per cent in Class 10 and 90 per cent in Class 12 as per family members.
Narrating his struggles, Faizan said his father works as a labourer and his mother is a housewife. Despite severe financial hardships, his parents never allowed their circumstances to become a barrier to his dreams.
“I have never seen more supportive people than my father and mother. I cannot tell you about the difficulties my mother faced for us. If I start talking about her struggles, I will break down,” an emotional Faizan said.
His brother, currently pursuing B.Pharmacy in Kerala, and his cousins, especially his sisters and uncle, stood firmly by him throughout his journey, he said.
Faizan recalled how harsh Kupwara winters with frequent power outages posed a major challenge. His uncle came to his rescue by installing an inverter and a dedicated light in his room to facilitate late-night studies.
“My uncle worked very hard for me. He installed an inverter and put a light in my room so that I could study till late at night. My mother and cousins were extremely supportive,” he said.
Urging fellow students to never lose hope, Faizan said: “Have faith in yourself, be patient, trust your family and your hard work. Discipline, consistency and perseverance are the keys to success.”
Thousands of aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir appear for NEET every year, with many spending exorbitant amounts on coaching institutes. Faizan’s achievement has drawn praise in his village, with residents lauding his determination and family support, proving that where there is a will, there is a way.
