NADIYA MUKHTAR

As a Kashmiri woman, Nadiya has seen conflict all her life. Beyond the turmoil from the international dispute over the land she calls home, she has faced private battles too, dealing with major depression and a brain tumor. Despite it all, she never gave up on her goals. In 2022, Nadiya received a major in English literature and a minor in Psychology. Beyond graduating top of her class, she has also found the time to volunteer in her community.

“I Can Overcome Any Hurdle that May Come My Way With Sheer Dedication and Determination”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

Born and brought up in conflict-ridden Kashmir, I have seen closely how occupation affects various aspects of life, especially for women and minorities. My education has been erratic due to constant turmoil in the valley. I graduated with a major in English Literature and a minor in Psychology in 2022 from Amar Singh College, Cluster University. Apart from holding top positions at various societies in my college, I was also appointed as the student editor of the college magazine, Lala Rukh, for three years in a row. I have previously worked across verticals like policy, gender, human rights, etc. By the end of the week, she can be found sipping chai in the lap of the magnificent mountain ranges of Kashmir or reading works of Sufi mystic poets on a shikara ride in the Dal lake.

Q: How did you experience the global pandemic crisis, did it change your life or/and your views about the world? How?

The healthcare in Kashmir is quite inadequate and we faced a lot of issues during the first and the second wave in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Local NGOs were at the forefront handling the situation. A sense of community was developed even in such ardent times and people went out of their way to volunteer their time and effort to help the community. 

The pandemic made me understand how privilege shields people from such calamities and how those who have it should use it to make this world a fairer place.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently? 

Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute and I live on the Indian-occupied side of it. Living under occupation affects various aspects of one's life. It challenges everything - from education to mobility to opportunities. It becomes all more difficult for women and other minorities to survive in a conflict zone. 

Some of the key challenges in our society are erratic education, employment, mobility, safety, the dignity of life, etc.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

I have faced several physical and mental health-related challenges throughout my life from being diagnosed with PCOS in 2011 to major depressive disorder in late 2018 and a brain tumor (pituitary microadenoma) earlier this year. When I was diagnosed with depression, I had zero resources to access healthcare or psycho-social support because of my abusive family. Despite my ailing health, I managed to qualify for JEE and topped the state-level entrance exam for Cluster University. This experience was unsettling and one of the most challenging phases I have had in my life, yet it forged the fabric of my character. It made me realise and harness the strength and courage I have inside of me. It made me believe that if I could get through such a difficult time without any help whatsoever, I could overcome any hurdle that may come my way with sheer dedication and determination.

I am currently undergoing treatment for pituitary microadenoma, hyperthyroidism, and anxiety disorder. Every day waking up with invisible illnesses is backbreaking but not enough to break my resolve to make my life and of those around me better. I continue to earn exemplary grades, graduate at the top of my class, and contribute my time to community service and volunteer for NGOs. My disabilities are as crippling as they may seem invisible, but I have never let them crush my advances towards achieving my goals.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

ARE KASHMIRI PEOPLE CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD?

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

Having had an erratic education and little to no opportunities in Kashmir, a mentor has really helped me in my personal and professional growth. Roula was a great support throughout the course of the mentorship programme, and I am so thankful that I got a chance to meet her through GTF.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

Some of the biggest lessons I have learnt are:

1.  This too shall pass.

2.  No matter what, life goes on.

3.  Time and health are more precious than money.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

1.  Athrout Kashmir

2.  P'end Online (Founded by Kashmiris based in the UK)

3.  Project EduAccess\Oxford Kashmir Forum

4.  JKCCS

5.  APDP

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

As a Muslim Kashmiri woman, I have faced discrimination and occupation in more than one way. Being a religious minority under Indian rule where Hindu fascist ideology is growing every day, it is scary to wear your identity. As a Kashmiri woman, I am oppressed by occupation as well as patriarchy as a system.  

There are very few efforts toward gender equality.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that means something to you.

May we raise children who love the unloved things by Nicolette Sowder

May we raise children who love the unloved things – the dandelion, the worms & spiderlings.

Children who sense the rose needs the thorn & run into rainswept days

the same way they turn towards the sun… 

And when they’re grown & someone has to speak for those who have no voice

may they draw upon that wilder bond, those days of tending tender things and be the ones.

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about.

I would like to help Kashmiri students have access to quality education and equip them with the tools to apply to the best universities across the world.