by Hirra Azmat
SRINAGAR: Setting an example of how the hard work pays off, eighteen-year-old Seerat Nazir of Trehgam in border Kupwara district has secured 638 points in the National Eligibility Test-2020.
Confident of securing good score in the NEET 2020, the teenager used to study religiously for ten hours on a daily basis to qualify the examination.
“It was my first attempt and I made it through. I was motivated to pursue the examination due to my parents’ and teachers’ unconditional support. They always believed that I have the required potential,” Seerat said.
Seerat did her primary education from Kupwara Public School (KPS) and secondary education from Government Girls Higher Secondary, Srinagar.
“I have done my coaching for NEET from HOPE coaching Institute in Parraypora. My coaching began right after I finished my matriculation,” she said.
But it was not a smooth sail for Seerat as she faced some challenges during her NEET preparation journey.
“The shutdown post-August 5 and pandemic disrupted my routine. We could neither appear in regular online tests nor download video lecturers. Besides, as a female, I faced another set of problems,” she said.
Seerat was often taunted by her neighbours and relatives for staying away from home during her coaching period.
“They often told my parents that I should not stay away from home for longer stints and should restrain from spending a lot of money on my education,” she said.
However, she continued to take the unconventional route and proved her naysayers wrong.
Seerat’s father, Nazir Ahmad, a government teacher by occupation, said that his daughter had indeed worked very hard and had made everyone in the family proud.
Her mother, who is a social worker by profession said that she wants to see her daughter excel and prove as an inspiration for others.
Seerat’s advice to NEET aspirants is that there is no shortcut to hard-work.
“Consistency is key as preparing for an examination is not an overnight job. One needs to put in a lot of hard work,” she adds.
