Zoaya Zahoor

“Hailing from Kashmir, I have always been asked questions about life there as if it were a completely different place altogether, and to some extent, yes, growing up in Kashmir was like belonging to a different realm. Things that we consider primary necessities, like a peaceful environment and stable internet connection, weren’t readily available in Kashmir. The constant threat of riots, frequent internet shutdowns, and communal tension made life in Kashmir much harder than most people believe.

Ever since I was a child, I stayed with my grandparents, who took care of my schooling and higher education. I was always very devoted to my studies, and one afternoon, my teacher told me about the super 30-exam. There was a special provision for students of Kashmir. I grabbed the opportunity and even got shortlisted. My family was very supportive and agreed to send me to Delhi for my studies. Being a completely different environment, it wasn’t easy to adapt at first, but as time passed, I adjusted and became the first person from my district to get into IIT. For a place where girls don’t even complete their schooling, this was a very big step. When Article 370 was abrogated, I was on campus and couldn’t contact my parents for weeks due to the internet shutdown in the region. The only way I could know about the situation there was from news articles, which were terrifying.

During the lockdown, the internet connectivity issue continued to prevail in Kashmir, and I had to travel 30–40 km to download study material. It is my perseverance that has got me this far, and I will continue to work hard against all odds, so that more students like me are encouraged to dream and achieve.” — Zoya Zahoor