Saved by chance, now set to save lives: Kashmir valley boy escapes PSA, cracks NEET

In an inspiring tale of redemption and resilience, a boy from North Kashmir’s Handwara — who was on the verge of being booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) last year — has now cracked the NEET exam, paving the way for a future in medicine.

Zubair Bhat, a resident of remote Khumrail village in the border district of Kupwara, recently cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the results of which were declared last week. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) in Ganderbal.

Recalling the events of the past year, Zubair said he had been summoned by the Kupwara police. “I was using VPN, which is illegal… my phone was taken, but they didn’t find anything,” he said. Police sources said Zubair was to be booked under PSA for his “adverse activities.”

Following this, his family sought help from People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone, who intervened in the case.

Sharing Zubair’s success story on X on Wednesday, Lone wrote: “Zubair has excelled academically. But Zubair is much more than a young boy who has cracked NEET.

The life of Zubair is a story. And I too am a part of that story. And I share a special bond with him. From depths of despair a year back, Zubair has bounced back and will soon embark on a career in medicine,” he said.

Lone revealed that just a year ago, Zubair was set to be booked under the PSA. “The dossier was ready. His family approached me. He is a couple of years older than my children. I don’t know what happened. But I was convinced that Zubair had to be saved. I was convinced that Zubair is special and can deliver academically and move on to have an excellent career. I believed that Zubair deserved a chance,” he said.

He said he had approached the Kupwara SSP, who was initially “very apprehensive.”

“I volunteered to personally guarantee his conduct. We talked so many times over the phone and the conversation would end with disagreements,” Lone said.

Later, he received a call from the SSP. “He said he had given it a thought and that he too is convinced that Zubair needs to be given a chance,” said Lone on X.

“His decision to release Zubair means he has added a doctor to the society,” he added.

Describing Zubair’s story as a “triumph of love and compassion,” Lone said, “Maybe there is a message in this story. I hope our decision makers understand that message,” while also thanking the L-G office.

“Let us all rejoice Zubair’s success. It is a victory of the concepts of love and compassion,” Lone said.