Kashmiri pellet victim excels in Class 12 exams, sets sights on civil services
Insha's eyesight was tragically lost, and she endured skull fractures and facial scars due to the barrage of metal pellets fired by security forces.
PTC News Desk: Insha Mushtaq, the face of pellet victims in Kashmir who lost her eyesight in 2016, has achieved remarkable success by clearing her Class 12 board exams with a commendable 73% score. Despite the hardships she has faced, Insha remains determined and now aspires to crack the civil services examination.
Insha, 22, shared her inspirational message, stating, "There may be a lot of challenges in life, but one should never give up." Her journey began during the unrest in 2016 when she was in Class 9. During the protests following the killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander, she became an innocent victim caught in the crossfire outside her home.
Insha's eyesight was tragically lost, and she endured skull fractures and facial scars due to the barrage of metal pellets fired by security forces.
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Her ordeal symbolised the plight of many pellet victims, with her images circulating widely on social media. The use of pellet guns, considered "non-lethal," in Kashmir drew global condemnation from human rights organizations. Insha spent months in hospitals and trauma centers, receiving treatment at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, Trauma Centre in Delhi for four months, and spending another month in Mumbai.
Despite the challenges, Insha's determination remained unshaken. She took up learning braille, computers, and English at DPS (Delhi Public School) and faced initial difficulties in grasping braille. However, with the encouragement and support of her teachers, she persevered and continued her education. Insha appeared for her Class 10 board exams in 2017, clearing them with the assistance of a writer, and subsequently joined DPS.
For her Class 12 exams, Insha studied subjects like sociology, education, history, physical education, and English, scoring 367 out of 500 marks. Although she initially felt disappointed with her results, she soon realised that she had outperformed many sighted students. Insha credits her family for their unwavering support and strength, always urging her never to lose hope.
Insha's preparation for her exams involved using braille as well as recorded lectures. She recorded the lectures and revised them by listening on a laptop. She expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Centre for Peace and Justice, a non-governmental organization that has supported her education since 2018. Insha particularly highlighted the assistance provided by Nadir Ali, stating that they rehabilitated her and helped her with her studies.
Despite moments of hopelessness and uncertainty, Insha drew inspiration from an encounter with an IAS officer who had also lost his eyesight. Fueling her determination, she now plans to pursue a bachelor's degree and then undergo IAS coaching. Insha continues to face challenges, including navigating the world without a helper, but remains steadfast in her pursuit of her next goal.
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