Never went to coaching, my parents’ prayers helped me, says Iqra; My daughter was hard working since beginning, God helped her: Proud Father
TDD Special Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD): Having faith in Almighty and prayers of her parents, Iqra Farooq Bhat from Zakoora area of Srinagar outskirts made her father, a tailor by profession proud by securing second rank in the prestigious J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) exams.
By bagging second slot, Iqra became Valley’s topper even as the first rank went to Jammu. When the civil services results were announced on Wednesday, she secured rank 2 in Jammu and Kashmir, topping the examination from the Kashmir Valley. People including friends and relatives thronged the residence of Iqra at Zakoora congratulating her in the traditional way by showering almonds, flowers and money on her head.
“I am very thankful to the Almighty for this success. I am extremely grateful to my parents and my brother for their wholehearted support,” she beamed. “I studied on my own and never went to any coaching centre. I started preparing for exams from 2021. Finally, my hard work paid off.”
She said in her journey to success, she faced challenges but managed to beat all in her own way.
“I was sure about my success as my parents’ prayers were with me. And then, my hard work was on my back. It’s really a moment of pride as I belong to a middle-class family and my father is a tailor by profession,” Iqra said. “Helping others has been my passion since childhood.”
She said those preparing for prestigious exams shouldn’t lose heart and instead remain focussed. “Even if they don’t qualify in the first attempt, they can keep trying for the second attempt and they will succeed,” Iqra said. Her father Farooq Ahmed Bhat said that his daughter has been a hardworking student since the beginning. “Today her hard work has paid off. I am feeling proud like any other father would,” he said, wearing a gentle smile on his face.
Bhat said it puts a lot of hard work to manage the study expenses for the children. “As a tailor, I faced a lot of challenges but I never lost hope and continued to earn for my children. Today, I am the happiest father in the world,” he said– (TDD)
