A labourers son living in a backward, nondescript village, Muzaffar was earning as ReT and preparing for KAS, an examination he finally cracked in third chance, reports Sheikh Saman
At almost 7:30 pm, Malik Muzaffar Ahmad, a resident of Brimer (Shangas) had just completed his Maghrib prayers that he received a call from his friend that changed his fate. He had made it to KAS.
Malik’s story is incredibly impeccable because he comes from highly conservative and apparently backward society where child marriage is normal and gender bias is routine. Malik had 35th rank. Born in a typical modest family, his father is a labourer. His mother is a homemaker. He is eldest of all his siblings, all girls. Two of his sisters are pursuing masters and the younger one is in 12th standard.
“I would say they are one of the best parents in the universe, who gave me absolute freedom and tried to fulfil all my requirements within their limitations,” said Malik.
He did his initial schooling from Government Middle School, Brimer then moved to Government High School, Utrasoo from where he appeared in class 10 examinations. He joined Government Higher Secondary School, Utrasoo and appeared in his class 12 examination with science as the main subject.
“After passing my 12 class examination, my circumstances lead me to quit my studies and opt for a job to support my family due to the poor financial conditions and it was because of this reason that I couldn’t continue my studies as a regular student,” Malik added.
Later on, he graduated in arts and did his post-graduation as a private student from the University of Kashmir in Sociology. He qualified UGC NET in 2012 and in next year he appeared in SET and qualified it.
“I started preparing for KAS in 2012 and it was in the same year that I attempted for KAS exams and qualified mains but wasn’t able to clear the interview,” Malik said. “But then in 2014, I again appeared in KAS and this time I wasn’t able to make it to the finals and lost with just 11 points,” he added.
Coming from a small hamlet, Malik is inspired and motivated by his maternal uncle who is a central government employee. Malik said that he is the one who inspired him to go all through the way and motivated him to achieve such great things in life. He chose sociology and Urdu as his optional subjects because sociology was his main subject in post graduation.
After achieving such feat, I want to inspire my people to move forward and motivate them to take KAS as a challenge. A lot of hard work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be scaled. “It is not an easy task. But not the impossible one,” he insists.
“For me it wasn’t a cakewalk, coming from a far-flung area with no proper roads is just so annoying in itself, it required immense self-confidence, combined with determination and perseverance to get to this place,” Malik admitted.
First graduate and post graduate from his family, Malik is working as a Rehbar-i-Taleem teacher in Government School, Brimer, Shangus. He couldn’t afford a full fledged coaching but somehow he got to know about ICP and appeared in mock interviews that really helped him grow but rest he did it without coaching. “I am also thankful to ICP, a voluntary organisation for their guidance for the interview,” Malik said. “Those mock interviews were the game-changers.”
