MASHOOD AJAZ QURESHI
Mashood Ajaz had the first experience with the harsh reality of disadvantages which an underprivileged student from rural background faces, when he enquired about the coaching process & expenses for preparation of NEET, the exam conducted by National Testing Agency for admissions to the various Medical Colleges across the country. Hailing from the rural area of Sampora in the Baramulla District, he saw the difficulties people from villages faced because of lack of medical facilities.
He always dreamt big and becoming a world famous doctor was the goal he set for himself. He worked very hard to get admission in the prestigious Sainik School Manasbal for his schooling. A brilliant student since the very beginning, he only needed a ray of hope to guide him through the rigorous preparation for NEET exam and realise his dream of becoming a Doctor. His father’s meagre income barely supported his family and any expensive coaching was out of question. The future looked gloomy and he felt like giving up on his dream.
But the destiny had other plans for him. He got to know that the Indian Army is providing free NEET coaching classes through the programme ‘Army HPCL Kashmir Super 30 Medical’ at Haft Chinar where his coaching, food and lodging would be taken care of by Army and he could devote himself completely to preparations to achieve his dream. He appeared in the entrance test of Kashmir Super 30(Medical) through the School to School Reach Programme (SSRP) and got selected. This was his first big step towards achieving his dreams.
His hard work and the guidance and facilities provided to him helped him consolidate his concepts and helped him transform into a learned and confident student. He secured a rank of 46 in J&K in the NEET exam in 2020 and got admission in the prestigious Government Medical College, Srinagar. Mashood Ajaz says that his idol is the world famous doctor, Dr Naresh Trehan and he wants to contribute and give back to the society through the pious service of a doctor. After his MBBS, he wants to pursue his specialisation in Surgery. He wants to serve in the villages of Kashmir and bring a change where the people from a rural background like him would not have to go to big metropolitan cities like Delhi or Bengaluru for their Medical treatment. He is very grateful to the govt agencies especially Army which have helped him to grow and achieve all that he has accomplished today.
– Lt Col Mayank Dalal
