Defying the all odds, Baramulla girl qualifies KAS

Quit studies at SKUAST to take up lowly-paid job to support her family , completed graduation through distance mode

Sopore, Jan 20 : 25 -year-old Nadia Shameem of Adoora Baramulla has proved that no financial crisis, hardship and adversity can stop you from achieving your goal. Nadia, who cleared the prestigious Jammu & Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination, quit regular studies at very young age and took up a lowly-paid government job to support her family financially, but didn’t give up her dream of making it big in life.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Nadia said she did her schooling from Kekashan School, Handwara.

“I have done my initial schooling from Kehkashan School Handwara. After passing my 10th class examination, I got admission in the Saint Joseph Baramulla for higher secondary education. I secured 3rd position in the entrance examination conducted by the institution for admission,” she said.

Nadia said she got admission in SKUAST Kashmir, but had to quit her studies after she was selected for a job of in the civil secretariat.

“I had to quit my studies due to financial constraints. I joined as an orderly in the civil secretariat to support my family ,” she said.

Nadia said she continued her studies through distance mode after taking up the job.

“I completed my B.A (Hons) in Sociology from IGNOU because I wanted Sociology to be my optional,” she said, adding that she simultaneously started preparing for civil services.

“After getting into service, I got more insights and inspirations to be part of the service,” she added.

Nadia, who cracked the prestigious civil service examination in her maiden attempt, said her mother and her teachers were an inspiration for her.

“The motivation behind my journey was my mother, my teachers and my colleagues who had faith in me. Everybody would feel that I have the potential to do the best against all odds. This thing kept the fire alive in me,” she said.

She said it was a bit difficult to balance between job and studies, but she managed.

“I would get up early to study and off days on Saturday and Sunday really helped me in preparation for the examination. I took earned leave right before Prelims, Mains and Interview,” she said.

Her mother Shameema, a housewife, says her daughter excelled in studies right from childhood.

“My daughter has been an amazing student. She bagged state-level positions in 10th as well as 12th class. She was loved by all her teachers and relatives for being extraordinary,” she said.

Shameema says her daughter was adamant to be financially independent.

“It was her decision to quit studies at SKUAST as she is a very responsible daughter. After taking up the job, she took up another challenge to clear the civil services examination. She qualified the examination. I am proud of my daughter,” she said—(KNO)