by Meer Shahzaib
The societal expectation of becoming a doctor has become so ingrained that it overshadows individual aspirations and well-being.
Kashmir, a region of breathtaking beauty and boundless potential, has long been the subject of headlines – but rarely from the perspective of its youth. For young Kashmiris, every sunrise over the Dal Lake holds both hope and uncertainty.
As students, we stand at a crossroads, navigating the dual realities of challenges that weigh us down and opportunities that push us to dream beyond boundaries. This is our story – one of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of a better tomorrow.
In the words of a Kashmiri proverb: “The bird that dares to break its shell embarks on a struggle for freedom – only then does it discover the boundless world waiting beyond.”
Yet, in our small villages, the narrative for young people is often written long before we can start to write our own stories. The moment we pass our 10th-grade exams, we are faced with only two choices: follow the path of medicine or, well, follow the path of medicine.
In a community where conformity is valued above individuality, this single, narrow track becomes the standard. It shapes not only the hopes of our parents but also the dreams we are allowed to dare.
From a young age, we are taught that the pinnacle of success – the only worthy aspiration – is to wear a white coat, carry a stethoscope, and serve as a symbol of respect and stability in society. For generations, this singular dream has been passed down through families, becoming an unspoken truth that leaves little room for anything else.
As children, we are expected to excel in biology, bury ourselves in medical textbooks, and prepare ourselves for entrance exams, with the silent pressure that there is no other choice. Deviating from this path is often seen as a betrayal, a failure to meet the expectations of our parents who have invested so much in this dream.
Many young minds in Kashmir struggle to imagine a future that is uniquely their own, afraid to speak up about the passions that burn quietly in their hearts. Countless dreams have been crushed by this unrelenting push towards medicine.
A story from my own experience has stayed with me – one of unspoken dreams and the weight of societal expectations. It is about my friend Zain, who grew up in a small village in Kashmir. In his home, as in many others, one dream overshadowed all others: to see their child become a doctor.
From a young age, Zain was immersed in medical textbooks. While other children played outside, Zain’s world was confined to the pages of his books. The dream of becoming a doctor, though noble and respected, was never his own. He wanted to serve his people differently.
Zain’s true aspiration was to become a civil servant, working for his community and helping shape the future of Kashmir. He envisioned a role where he could influence policies and create positive change. But voicing this dream to his parents seemed impossible.
In many Kashmiri families, especially in rural areas, becoming a doctor is not just a career choice – it symbolises security, respect, and social status. For parents who have lived through years of conflict and uncertainty, sending their children to medical school is seen as the ultimate way to ensure a stable future.
This single-minded focus on one career option often stifles the unique passions and talents of young people like Zain. The pressure to conform to this narrow definition of success can feel suffocating, creating a cycle where dreams are sacrificed for a vision of what is deemed “safe” and “acceptable” in society.
Zain’s story is not unique. For countless youth in Kashmir, the dream of becoming a doctor is a path dictated by generations of societal expectation, rather than personal choice. The real tragedy is that, in this rigid pursuit, we overlook the beauty of diverse passions – the architects, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs, each with their unique contribution to make.
But who is to blame for this pressure to follow the path of medicine – our parents, society, or the education system?
The pressure to pursue a career in medicine often begins earlier than we realize. After completing their 10th-grade exams, students who achieve high marks are frequently celebrated for their potential to succeed in fields like medicine. The assumption is made: a high-scoring student is destined to become a doctor.
However, this assumption overlooks crucial factors. The marks earned in 10th grade do not reflect a student’s emotional resilience, interest in the field, or ability to cope with the demands of a medical profession. Yet, these grades shape the decisions of parents, who may push their children toward a path they are not suited for.
This trend is widespread in villages across Kashmir. When students achieve high marks in their board exams, the next step often seems predetermined: pursuing a medical degree in Srinagar. This tradition is fuelled by the desire to see children succeed and gain respect. But in this race toward conformity, a critical question is rarely asked: what does the child truly want?
The societal expectation of becoming a doctor has become so ingrained that it overshadows individual aspirations and well-being. Marks achieved in a high school exam cannot be the sole indicator of a child’s future career. They do not account for personal happiness, aptitude, or the ability to thrive in a high-stress environment.
This pressure often leads to a generation of students who feel trapped in careers they never chose
. What if true success lies not in fitting into society’s prescribed mould, but in daring to follow a path that reflects our passions and purpose?
Despite the overwhelming pressure to conform, one must ask: what does success truly look like in this prescribed path? Becoming a doctor is often touted as the ultimate achievement – a symbol of prestige, security, and societal respect. However, the reality paints a different picture. The number of available seats in government medical colleges in Kashmir is limited, and every year, thousands of students vie for a handful of spots. For many, despite years of preparation, the dream of wearing a white coat remains elusive. What does success look like when so many aspiring doctors are left behind?
Is the pursuit of a single, narrowly defined vision of success truly the path to fulfilment? For many, the pressure to become a doctor overshadows other equally impactful and rewarding careers. The constant race to secure a place in a medical college blinds us to the vast array of opportunities that exist beyond this mould.
What if success is not about fitting into a predefined box, but about following a path that truly reflects our passions, skills, and values? The youth of Kashmir deserve the chance to dream beyond this rigid expectation, to pursue careers that ignite their hearts and challenge them to make a unique mark on the world.
True success is not about conforming to what others expect of us – it is about breaking free from the mould, embracing our individuality, and creating a future that is uniquely our own.
Can the youth of Kashmir rise above the chains of tradition and reimagine a future where our dreams are not confined by expectations? A future where success is not measured by fitting into a mould, but by the courage to follow our passions and carve our paths?
For decades, societal stereotypes have painted rigid outlines for what it means to succeed. Many are urged to become doctors, engineers, or government officials – careers that are undoubtedly noble, but often chosen out of obligation rather than passion.
We are not mere extensions of tradition; we are individuals with unique talents, dreams, and stories waiting to unfold. Breaking free from these chains does not mean rejecting our culture or values – it means enriching them by daring to dream differently.
Imagine a Kashmir where dreams are limitless. A place where a writer’s words are as valued as a doctor’s prescriptions, where the strokes of a painter’s brush tell stories as impactful as a scientist’s equations.
Breaking the mould does not mean rejecting tradition – it means evolving it, breathing life into it with new ideas and perspectives. Our rich cultural heritage can be a foundation, not a cage.
To rise above these chains demands courage – the courage to fail, to face criticism, to stand firm when the world says, “This is not how it’s done.” But it is this courage that defines true success.
When we follow our passions, we not only pave the way for ourselves but inspire others to do the same. We plant the seeds of a future where success is no longer a rigid box but a vast horizon of possibilities.
Together, we can create a Kashmir where our individuality shines, where our dreams take flight, and where the world looks to us not for how well we followed the rules, but for how bravely we redefined them.
The lotus blooms in the mud, not despite it, but because of it. Similarly, our greatest potential lies in rising above the constraints of tradition, embracing our unique paths, and flourishing in the face of challenges.
(The author is a student of Economics and Political Science at Amar Singh College. Ideas are personal.)
