Against All Odds

A Childhood Marked by Struggles

Shakir was born into a family where hardship was not a stranger—it was a daily companion. Growing up in Damhal Hanjipora, Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir, he never knew what it meant to live without worry. His family lived in a modest home, where survival was a matter of resilience rather than comfort. His father, a hardworking man who once toiled to keep the family afloat, suffered a tragic accident that cost him his leg. That single event altered the course of their lives forever.

With the main earning member incapacitated, the responsibility of sustaining the family fell on his mother. A diabetic patient herself, she had little choice but to work as a domestic helper. She spent her days washing clothes and scrubbing kitchen floors in a politician’s house, earning a meager amount that barely covered the essentials. The cold water in winter left her hands cracked and raw, the weight of wet clothes straining her already frail body. But she never complained.

Shakir, the eldest of five siblings, understood from a young age that poverty was merciless. He couldn’t stand the sight of his mother struggling alone. Every evening, after school, he would sit beside her with a bucket of soapy water, scrubbing and wringing out heavy clothes. The pungent smell of detergent clung to his hands, but he never minded. It was his way of sharing the burden.

Yet, their hardships didn’t end with financial struggles. Tragedy seemed to follow the family like a shadow. His four sisters, each carrying their own weight of misfortune, had their lives dictated by cruel fate. One sister, after much difficulty, was finally married off, only to return home divorced within a year. Another fell victim to a rabid dog’s bite, fighting a painful battle against infection. But the worst blow came when his youngest sister drowned in the unforgiving waters of the Kulgam river.

Each sorrowful event only strengthened Shakir’s resolve—he had to break free from the cycle of suffering. He had to become something more than just another victim of fate.

A Student with a Dream

Despite the relentless hardships at home, Shakir excelled in academics. A student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), he was known for his sharp intellect and unshakable determination. Teachers admired his dedication, and classmates often wondered how someone with so many burdens could still top the class.

His dream was clear: he wanted to become a doctor. He had seen enough suffering in his own home to know that the poor had little access to good healthcare. But dreaming was one thing—making it a reality was another.

Unlike many of his peers, he had no resources for coaching. Medical entrance exams, especially NEET, required years of preparation and expensive coaching. But where would he get the money?

The Struggle for NEET

After passing his 12th exams, Shakir faced a bitter reality—there was no money for NEET coaching. While others enrolled in coaching institutes in Delhi and Kota, he was left with nothing but borrowed books and self-study.

Determined not to give up, he started working in apple orchards, sorting apples into boxes for ₹500 a day. The work was exhausting, with long hours under the sun, the rough wooden crates leaving splinters in his hands. But he had no choice.

At night, after finishing his labor, he turned into a teacher. He tutored 10th-grade students, teaching them mathematics and science for a small fee. Every rupee he earned went into buying second-hand books and paying for the rare online mock test. His days were long, his nights even longer. But he never complained.

The Silent Battle with Jaundice

As if financial struggles weren’t enough, fate threw another challenge his way. One day, he started feeling weak. At first, he dismissed it as exhaustion from overworking himself. But soon, his body began to betray him. His skin took on a yellowish tinge, his appetite disappeared, and even the smallest tasks left him breathless.

He knew the symptoms—he had jaundice. But he also knew something else: if he told his family, they would force him to rest, take him to a doctor, and he would lose precious study time. He couldn’t afford that.

So, he hid his illness.

For weeks, he continued working in the orchards, his body barely holding on. He kept teaching students, even when his vision blurred from fatigue. He forced himself to eat, even when his stomach rejected the food. Every day was a test of endurance.

Then, one evening, while walking home after tutoring, his body finally gave in. He collapsed in the middle of the road.

When he woke up, he found himself in a local clinic. The doctor was furious—his condition was far worse than it should have been. He was scolded for ignoring his health, warned that his liver was suffering, that his negligence could have cost him his life.

But even as he lay on that hospital bed, his mind was on his books. He asked a friend to bring his NEET preparation material. If he was going to recover, he would do so without wasting a single moment.

The Day of Triumph and Tragedy

After months of relentless hard work, the day of the NEET results arrived. His hands trembled as he checked the website, his heart pounding against his ribs.

And then, the words flashed before his eyes: Qualified.

He had done it. Against all odds, without coaching, without financial support, battling illness and exhaustion, he had cracked NEET on his very first attempt.

But fate, ever cruel, wasn’t finished with him yet.

As he rushed home to share the news, he found his house engulfed in grief. His father had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He never got to see his son become the doctor he had always dreamed of.

Shakir held his father’s lifeless hand, his acceptance letter crumpled in his grip. Joy and sorrow crashed over him at once, leaving him standing at the edge of triumph and tragedy.

The Doctor Who Gave Back

Years passed, and Shakir became Dr. Shakir, a renowned radiologist in his district. His wife, Dr. Ruqaya, a skilled gynecologist, stood beside him as they built a life dedicated to service.

But success wasn’t enough for him. He hadn’t forgotten the struggle of self-studying, the pain of financial constraints. He knew there were hundreds of students in his district who had dreams just like his—but no means to achieve them.

So, he opened a free library, a sanctuary for students who couldn’t afford coaching. Here, the children of laborers, farmers, and domestic workers found books, guidance, and a place where their dreams weren’t crushed by poverty.

People often ask Dr. Shakir what kept him going. How did he endure so much loss and still rise above it?

His answer is simple: "I had no choice. Either I let life break me, or I break the barriers life put in my way. I chose the second option."

His story is not just about becoming a doctor. It is about resilience, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that no matter how dark life gets, there is always a way forward.

Because sometimes, even the harshest storms cannot uproot a tree that has learned to stand strong.