Shopian, Jun 01: The celebrations at Soliha Mubarak’s home in Shopian are continuing, but the young student at the centre of the excitement admits she is yet to come to terms with what she has achieved.
Soliha has become the first girl from Shopian district to qualify the prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced, one of the country’s most competitive entrance tests and the gateway to admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
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For many, it is a historic achievement. For Soliha, it is still something she struggles to believe.
“I still can’t believe it,” she said with a smile while speaking to media persons. “Even now, it feels unreal. Sometimes I think this is all a dream.”
The soft-spoken student says her success is not hers alone. She credits Almighty Allah, her parents and her teachers for helping her reach a milestone that few students manage to achieve.
“First of all, I thank Almighty Allah,” Soliha said. “Whatever I have achieved is because of His blessings. After that, I thank my parents and my teachers who always supported and motivated me.”
Like thousands of aspirants across the country, Soliha spent months immersed in books, tests and preparation. There were moments of pressure and uncertainty, but she says her teachers never allowed her to lose confidence.
“My teachers at Rise Institute Srinagar motivated me a lot. They encouraged me to focus on my studies and told me that I could achieve something good if I worked hard. Their motivation gave me confidence and kept me moving forward,” she said.
She recalled that whenever she felt discouraged, words of encouragement from her mentors helped her regain focus.
“They always believed in me. That belief motivated me to continue working hard,” she added.
Asked about her rank and score, Soliha declined to disclose the details, saying she is not permitted to share them. Instead, she chose to reflect on the support system that stood behind her throughout the journey.
“My faith in Allah, the prayers of my parents and the guidance of my teachers motivated me throughout. Without them, this would not have been possible,” she said.
As news of her achievement spread through Shopian, congratulatory messages began pouring in from friends, relatives, neighbours and former teachers. Among the proudest voices was that of her brother, Shadab, who said the success was the result of years of dedication and hard work.
“She worked extremely hard for this,” Shadab said. “We have seen the effort she put in every single day. This achievement has not come overnight. It is the result of her commitment, determination and countless hours of study.”
Congratulating his sister on the milestone, he expressed hope that her success would encourage many more students to dream big and pursue competitive examinations with confidence.
“I hope Soliha’s achievement inspires many more students to prepare for and crack examinations like JEE Advanced. It shows that with hard work and determination, students from our district can compete with the best in the country,” he said.
In a district known largely for its apple orchards and agricultural economy, Soliha’s achievement has become a moment of collective pride. Educators and residents say her success sends a powerful message to aspiring students across Kashmir that talent, perseverance and the right support can overcome any barrier.
JEE Advanced is widely regarded as one of India’s toughest examinations, with only a small percentage of candidates making it through every year. Qualifying the examination is often seen as the culmination of years of disciplined preparation and sacrifice.
For Soliha, however, the focus remains on gratitude rather than glory.
As visitors continue to arrive at her home to congratulate her and celebrate the historic feat, she remains humble about her accomplishment.
“I am simply grateful,” she said. “Grateful to Allah, grateful to my parents and grateful to my teachers. Their support is the reason I am here today.”
For Soliha Mubarak, the result is the fulfilment of a dream. For Shopian, it is a historic first. And for countless young students across Kashmir, it is a reminder that extraordinary achievements can emerge from ordinary homes when faith, hard work and encouragement come together.
