Pulwama boy tops NEET exam from J-K

A teenr from terrorism-infested south Kashmir's Pulwama district has topped NEET examination from Union Territory despite internet connectivity issues in most parts of valley since over a year. Basit Bilal Khan (18) secured 695 marks out of 720 in NEET exam, result of which was declared on Friday. Khan, hailing from Ratnipora vill in Pulwama, said while he worked very hard for competitive examination, frequent internet outs and slow network speed created a lot of hardships.

"I am thankful to God for bestowing this success on me. I am thankful of my parents who supported me always and also of my teachers who showed me a track and guided me and worked hard on me," he told reporters near a private study centre where he studied for exams.

"My family is very excited with results as y h huge expectations from me. But this is because of hard work of my teachers and ir polishing. I am feeling proud w being topper from Jammu and Kashmir," ecstatic teenr said.

He said while faculty at study centre covered syllabus wholly in time, internet connectivity issues created a lot of difficulties for him and or candidates like him. "We faced a lot of hardships because of internet connectivity issues. My teachers h prepared video tutorials for us, but it was very difficult to access m on 2G network."

"However, a philosopher has said that 'if it is important for you, you try to find ways and if it is t, you try to find excuses'. Obviously, situation was challenging. But if you really want to crack this examination, n you find ways to work hard and if you work with dedication, n God will help you. I did my best and achieved success," he said.

Mobile internet often remains suspended in Pulwama district because of anti-terrorism operations undertaken by security forces, while speed of internet has remained restricted to 2G since August last year when Centre abrogated Article 370 of Constitution. network speed has been increased to 4G in Ganderbal district in Kashmir Valley and Udhampur district in Jammu region only so far. Khan vised candidates intending to compete in examination to t waste time.

"y should utilise time and study and practice in such a manner that y do t have any regrets later," 18-year-old said, ding that he used to take a lot of mock tests during lockdown imposed in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

A faculty member at study centre said students faced a lot of hardships due to 2G internet connectivity, but a mobile app which worked on low-speed internet helped to cross hurdle. "I am much happier today than I was when I qualified this examination. se students faced a lot of hardships due to low-speed internet network. It was t possible to access study material on 2G network," teacher said.

"n we contacted an app developer and he developed an app for us which worked on low-network speed. We reached our students through our app and we regularly communicated with m and sent across all study material, he said.

teacher said while he was proud of achievement of all-India NEET topper Soyeb Aftab who secured 100 per cent marks, conditions in Jammu and Kashmir were more difficult. "If we compare atmosphere he studied in with situation here... that he did t face any internet shutdowns or speed restrictions.. re is a narrow gap in his and Basit's marks, if Basit got such favourable conditions, n he will easily score full marks," he said.

Meanwhile, Farooq Khan, visor to lieutenant goverr, felicitated Basit Bilal Khan for his historic feat by securing 99.98 percentile in NEET-2020 exam. Basit Bilal Khan met visor at his official residence here. visor enquired about his field of interests, strengths, difficulties and his approach to qualify prestigious exam, an official spokesman said.

visor congratulated Bilal Basit Khan for qualifying exam and topping from Jammu and Kashmir despite facing many odds and expressed hope he would inspire many or youths from region to crack or prestigious exams in order to serve society in best possible way so that ir energy would be utilised for development of nation.

visor said J-K is full of fertile minds but need is to provide m proper exposure to an environment where y would hone ir skills to excel in ir respective fields. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah, and party vice-president Omar Abdullah also congratulated Basit Bilal Khan and or successful NEET qualifiers from Jammu and Kashmir, a NC spokesman said.

While congratulating successful students of NEET examination, NC president said re is substitute to hard work and that perseverance and hard work are key to success. Farooq Abdullah said Basit Bilal Khan has proven that youth of Kashmir were second to ne in acemic excellence and chasing dreams for a better tomorrow.

"If students like Basit can do it despite all challenges due to prevailing situation, or students can do it as well. I am sure students will take inspiration from him and bump up ir efforts to achieve acemic excellence," MP ded.

While congratulating successful candidates, Omar Abdullah said it was elevating to see local youth cracking such prestigious exams despite various oddments, lack of resources and dearth of necessary exposure.