Ather Zia has explored many lands in her journey of excellence, that started from her humble home in Srinagar. Shazia Khan traces her voyage from Kashmir to USA.
From her stint as a research assistant in Kashmir University to reporter at Hindustan Times to a producer with BBC and as a civil administrative officer, the multi talented Ather Zia has achieved a lot in her short but illustrious career.
Not to be content with whatever she has achieved Ather is currently in USA pursuing her post doctorate in anthropology at University of California, where she is also engaged as Assistant Professor.
Ask her what she has accomplished, she says, “i was always in search of something that satisfies me. That is why i went through all these stages to select an area which helped me to discover myself.”
Hailing from Srinagar’s down town area Ather was born and brought up in an affluent family. Both her parents are doctors and she was also assumed to end up as a doctor. However, since her childhood Ather was more interested in writing things.
Ather says, “writing for me is a passion and I discovered it right, when I was in school. I wrote my first poem in class 7th and presented it at a school function, which was highly appreciated.” For Ather the event began as a journey. She stated writing poems as well as articles on different themes and issues.
By the time she completed her schooling from valley’s Presentation Convent. She selected life science for further studies. In class 12th she secured distinction and appeared for Common Entrance Test. However she couldn’t go through and continued her graduation in life Science.
“Though my parents were both doctors but I was never interested in medical profession. Many of my relatives thought I would end up as doctor but there was no compulsion from my parent’s side” says Ather for which she is always grateful to them.
“I think what supported my goal was the trust of people around me. And that’s where the path of establishing my future began”, says Ather.
During her graduation, she started writing articles on different issues for many local dailies which according to Ather added to her journalistic aspect. And before completing her graduation she made her mind to become a journalist like her aunt Nayeema Mehjoor.
For Masters Ather applied for Mass Communication and Journalism Programme at University of Kashmir.
Ather says, “I was always research oriented. After completing Post Graduation, I applied for JRF Net and qualified the exam. I was selected as research assistant at Research Centre, Kashmir University’s which nudges me to do more research.” After working there for more than a year she decided to step outside. She moved to Delhi and worked as trainee reporter with Hindustan Times. However she couldn’t continue there for long. Ather says “working with Hindustan Times was not much learning. I was doing much better than that in valley”.
In the mean time she applied as research assistant at Research Center Dehradaun and was also selected but she declined the offer.
In 2001, Ather got opportunity to work as producer with BBC in London. “For the entire day I used to sit in studio, translate news reports from different quarters of world and broadcast the stuff. It could be the dream job of anyone but I was looking for a different task more useful and more my community based.”
Rather continuing work with BBC she decided to utilize her service for her conflict torn society and returned valley in 2002.
Here in valley she applied for PhD at Kashmir University. Besides that she started working for much international research based projects which covered Kashmir politics, conflict and women empowerment of valley.
Ather has also worked with many international news agencies and magazines. Her collection of poems “The Frame” published by Art and Cultural Academy was highly appreciated in valley.
In 2005 she appeared for Civil Service exams and qualified the exam with high merit. After appointing for civil services she preferred to work in Community Development sector. “Qualifying KAS exam was an opportunity to serve my community. Working as Block development Officer helped me to achieve my aim. I was assigned to monitor the implementation of all programme related to planning and development. But the work system in Kashmir has become so harsh and complicated even if you want to apply any simple schemes at any block you face lot of denigration,” says Ather
In the mean time she got engaged with US based entrepreneur who wished to join her in US. Ather says, “it seemed like another opportunity to live my dream. I applied to many universities for post doctorate degree and luckilyy was selected at University of California.
Ather says, “whatever we opt does not always end up us in what we expect to be. We all should do our best to make our destiny according to our aspiration”.
