Tral’s Bakerwal Girl Scores 463, Aspires for UPSC
Shabnam Sadik’s success story lights a spark of hope among tribal students across Kashmir.
By Sahil Bhat
Srinagar, May 01 (KB):
In the remote village of Khatwada in Tral, where tarpaulin tents serve as homes and basic amenities remain a dream, 17-year-old Shabnam Sadik has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. A student from the nomadic Bakerwal community, Shabnam has scored an impressive 463 marks—92.6%—in the Class 12 examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).
Her achievement is not merely an academic milestone but a stirring testament to grit and determination in the face of adversity. Shabnam studied in a makeshift tent without electricity, internet access, or formal coaching. On cold nights and sweltering afternoons, she prepared for her exams under the flickering light of a shared lantern.
“I belong to a poor family. My parents have struggled a lot to support me. I had no coaching, no internet. I studied in a government school and used YouTube whenever I could. But I stayed consistent,” she said, her voice steady with pride.
Her father, a daily wage laborer, and her mother, a homemaker—both illiterate—could not help with her studies, but their unwavering encouragement laid the foundation of her dreams. It was her maternal uncle, a teacher, who mentored her through her academic journey. “He helped me understand how to approach the syllabus, clear my concepts, and stay focused,” she added.
Shabnam firmly believes that success isn’t dictated by private tuitions. “Our government school teachers were excellent. Everything is available online now. What truly matters is consistency, clarity of concepts, and faith in oneself,” she said.
When the results were declared, Shabnam was stunned. “I didn’t expect such high marks. My father hasn’t even heard the result yet—he’s still at work, unaware that his daughter has made him proud,” she said, a smile playing on her lips.
With her sights now set on India’s most prestigious exam, the UPSC, Shabnam’s voice carried the weight of ambition and hope: “Inshallah, I will try my best to serve the nation.”
From a plastic-roofed tent in Tral to the distant corridors of the Indian civil services, Shabnam Sadik’s journey is only beginning—but her story has already ignited thousands of young hearts.
—(KB)
