Srinagar Student Bags Scholarship Worth $70,000

Srinagar student wins Qatar University scholarship: Maleeha Zehra, a class 12th student, has received a scholarship worth $70,000 (over Rs 51 lakh) to study at the prestigious Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in Qatar. The Srinagar-based school student said she is on "cloud nine" as she was preparing for the scholarship for the past two years.

"This is beyond my imagination — everything that I am feeling and everything that is happening,” the elated student told Indian Express. “My parents and everyone in my family are happy. People who I haven’t been in touch with for years are now calling and congratulating me.” She also mentioned how back-to-back lockdowns had been a deterrent in her journey. However, the offer came in late last month.

Following the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and 4G internet services being interrupted in the state, Zehra said that year she couldn’t do much in terms of her applications. Then she recalled how schools remained closed for most of the time in 2020 due to the lockdown. But her grades and an exchange programme in Brazil that she had attended in 2018 all added to boost her application. "But it was a very tricky and challenging year for me,” Zehra added.

After consulting with her teachers, school counselor and even her seniors who are studying abroad, Zehra decided to apply at the Georgetown University and received her acceptance letter in March this year and the scholarship letter a month later in April.

Speaking about her family, Zehra told Rising Kashmir, “I grew up in a joint family. It has helped me value my relations and people around me.” She credited every individual she grew up with for her success and said they all have made an impact in her life. She went on to thank her elder brother who has been the strongest influence in her life. “My parents and younger sister have always been my support. They have always taught me to follow the path of truth and work hard, as it always pays off,” Zehra said.

However, the teen is now uncertain about her future since Class 12 boards have been postponed indefinitely and countries across the world have imposed fresh travel restrictions on flights arriving from India. "I’m a bit worried about whether everything will happen on time,” said Zehra, who has also decided to hold off celebrations until the current COVID-19 situation in India improves.

Zehra revealedd that she wants to come back to her country and serve the people of Kashmir. She is interested in writing about human rights violations around the world.

Feature Image Credit: Indian Express