Living in Tent, Nomadic Girl from Tral Scores 463 in 12th Boards; Seeks Help for Permanent Shelter

Sachnews Jammu Kashmir

Tral, May 01:
In a truly inspiring tale of grit and determination, Shabnam Sadik, a young girl from the nomadic Bakerwal community in Panner Village of Tral, Pulwama district, has defied all odds to score an outstanding 463 marks (92.6%) in the Class 12 Board examinations, conducted by the Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).

What makes Shabnam’s success even more remarkable is her background. She comes from a marginalized and economically challenged family that has been living in a makeshift tarpaulin tent for years in the upper reaches of Tral. Without access to private coaching, stable electricity, or modern learning resources, Shabnam studied under extreme conditions, relying entirely on self-study and guidance from teachers at her school — Government Higher Secondary School, Tral.

“I had no tuition. I studied in my tent and school with the help of my teachers. I was determined to do well for my family and community,” Shabnam told Sachnews.

The daughter of Mohammad Sadik Bokda, a daily-wage labourer, and a homemaker mother, Shabnam is the first in her family to achieve such academic success. Her family survives on meager earnings, and basic facilities such as proper housing, internet access, or a reading space have always been a distant dream.

Her father, overwhelmed with emotion, shared:

“We live in a tarpaulin tent house. My daughter has done something truly remarkable despite our poverty. I humbly appeal to the authorities to help us with a permanent shelter so she can pursue her dreams in dignity.”

Shabnam now aims to crack the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination and become a role model for underprivileged girls across the region. She believes that education is the key to uplifting communities like hers, and hopes her success story will inspire others living in difficult circumstances.