A modest background and a determined mind. Javaid Naikoo highlights the achievements of a boy who was among the top scorers in 10th class exams in 2011.
Syed Zeeshan Nisar secured fifth position in his annual matriculation examination at the state level, and made a mark amongst the toppers of the state. He scored 496 out of 500.
He began his academic journey from a private institution, Islamic Educational Institute, Kuzwera-Chadoora, up to fifth standard. He then received his next three years of education from privately-owned Goodwill Educational Institute, Ratnipora Pulwama. After eighth grade, Zeeshan enrolled in Government High School, Lajoora Pulwama to pursue ninth and tenth.
“Pursuing education from a government or from a private school has nothing to do with your goals. It was never a matter of worry for me to pursue education from a government school during the crucial years of ninth and tenth standard,” says Zeeshan.
Zeeshan credits appropriate parental care and his teachers for his success. “Raja ji, head of the institution and other teachers of the institute have been very affectionate in shaping our future and paving the way for us during the course,” he says.
Zeeshan believes government schools are often misrepresented.
“Teachers in private schools always remain in a sort of hurry; they are not mentally prepared for teaching in a private administered school, as they feel insecure with their jobs at such places, and in turn are less dedicated towards their profession,” he added.
He grew up in a village, yet never felt any difference academically. “During interaction with students of different schools from Srinagar and other places of the valley, I never felt they are more exposed to the world than I am,” Zeeshan says.
While in ninth, he stood first at the district level in a science model exhibition, and presented two of his own scientific models in the same competition. In the same year, he also secured first position in a symposium on environment pollution, held at the State Institute of Education, Bemina, Srinagar.
Zeeshan belongs to an average middle class family; he has a good educational environment at home. His father is a government school teacher and his mother is also well educated.
Zeeshan says he doesn’t believe in spending hours on books after the date sheet for exams are released. “Consistent study throughout the year is the secret of my success,” he says.
From day one in his journey of matriculation, Zeeshan was keen to see his name and photograph among top ten qualifiers of the valley and for that, his strategy was to study one to two hours every day throughout the year.
Since childhood, Zeeshan is considered as an efficient, sober boy with manifold qualities in the family. Offering prayers and respecting elders is inscribed in his nature.
In addition to his thirst for achieving knowledge, he is fond of co-curricular activities as well. Playing cricket and volleyball are part of his routine at school and at home. He hardly misses participating in games at school level, and never walks away from playing cricket and volley ball in his village also.
Zeeshan says he wants to become a doctor and serve society. However, he adds that he wouldn’t mind going for KAS or IAS if that is what path destiny will have in store for him.
Zeeshan has a heartfelt message for the youth of his age, and for the youth who come from a similar economic background as his:
“Never become the victim of inferiority complex in matters of access to highest standard of education, always be thankful with what is in hand, try to give your 100 percent in every activity and be sure every time that you will receive double than what you invested,” he says.
