The inspiring journey of a Kashmiri boy who defied the odds | Fusion - WeRIndia

At just 19 years old, Sajad Mehraj from Kashmir has proven that determination and hard work can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Scoring an impressive 650 out of 750 in the NEET UG exam, Sajad is not just a high achiever in academics but also a role model for perseverance.

What sets his story apart is how he balances his demanding studies with a job at a naan stall to support his family.

Sajad’s day begins at 4 a.m., and for the next seven to eight hours, he bakes around 300 naans at his family’s stall.

Despite the physical labour, he finds time to attend online classes from the popular educational platform Physics Wallah and continue his studies. His dedication stems from a moment when a classmate told him he was wasting his time pursuing education.

Rather than be discouraged, Sajad took this as a challenge, with encouragement from his sister, a doctor, pushing him to prove his critics wrong.

His journey of academic excellence began early. Sajad was a standout student, ranking at the top of his local cluster in the eighth grade.

In the ninth grade, he earned a scholarship from the Kashmir Education Initiative, which helped him focus more on his studies.

His headmaster also recognized his potential, going as far as purchasing a course from Physics Wallah to support Sajad’s medical aspirations.

Sajad’s father, though illiterate, always prioritized education for his children, resisting societal pressure to withdraw his daughter from school. This unwavering belief in education has allowed both Sajad and his sister to pursue their dreams.

Sajad’s story doesn’t end with his NEET success. He is now preparing to join Government Medical College in Handwara.

In a remarkable turn of events, Alakh Pandey, the founder of Physics Wallah, has stepped in to cover all of Sajad’s college expenses, freeing him from financial worries and allowing him to focus entirely on his studies.

Sajad Mehraj’s story is one of inspiration and hope, showing that with determination, family support, and the will to overcome societal and financial obstacles, one can achieve greatness.

His journey will undoubtedly motivate countless students facing similar challenges to believe in their dreams and work hard to make them a reality.

Image by Sahil from Pixahive (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on September 23, 2020

Image Reference: https://pixahive.com/photo/sonamarg-in-indian-union-territory-of-jammu-and-kashmir/