The duo scored 394 and 396 marks respectively out of 500 securing distinction in matric
Kokernag, May 2: In the quaint village of Matihandoo, nestled in the Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and tucked beneath the Pir Panchal mountain range amid sprawling maize fields, two extraordinary sisters have defied the odds with their academic brilliance.
Khushboo and Mehvish, daughters of Manzoor Ahmad Palla, a small-time grocery seller and farmer, have achieved first-division marks in their Class 12 board examinations, an extraordinary feat given their visual impairment and the remoteness of their village-over 50 kilometers from the main town of Anantnag.
The poverty-stricken village and its surroundings have the lowest literacy rate and a high school dropout rate. So, when Palla first decided to enroll his daughters in school, he faced opposition from villagers, relatives, and even some teachers, who called it a “waste of time.” But he remained resolute in his belief. “Yes, it was challenging-dropping them to school every day and ensuring they returned home safely wasn’t easy,” Palla recalled. “But Allah eased our hardships with time.”
The turning point came when Iqbal Khanday, a teacher trained in special education, was posted to the Government Middle School in Matihandoo. Sensing the girls’ potential, Khanday took them under his guidance. “He taught us Braille and trained us in mobility using smart canes. He taught us every life skill and helped us become independent,” said Khushboo Jan, who scored an impressive 364 out of 500 in the Class 12 exams. Her younger sister, Mehvish, followed closely with 348 marks. Khanday’s support extended beyond the classroom as after finishing his school he would frequently visit the sisters’ home and record lessons from the internet to make learning more accessible.
“There were challenges initially, but things gradually improved,” Khanday said. As the girls progressed to higher secondary school in nearby Gudraman village, their journey was further supported by Principal Bashir Saahil and physical education teacher Ashiq Hussain, both of whom nurtured their talents. “Khushboo and Mehvish were not only brilliant but also incredibly creative. We were privileged to have them as students,” said Saahil.
The sisters pursued subjects including Urdu, Education, Political Science, English, and Physical Education. “ Aashiq sir used to make us participate in every game ” they said.Earlier in 9th and 10th classes besides their own necessary subjects they honed their skills in Home Science and Music too. The duo scored 394 and 396 marks respectively out of 500 securing distinction in matric.
Their elder brother- pursuing graduation was also a key support-he recorded entire lessons on his phone so the sisters could listen, memorize, and understand at their own pace. Now, riding on this success, the two sister’s -dream of continuing their education at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), known for its inclusive support for visually impaired students. “Our parents have always stood by us, and our elder brother has been our constant guide,” the sisters said. “We want to continue our studies and prove that disability is no barrier to education.”
