Written by Irfan Amin Malik

It’s not often that a tarpaulin-covered tent in a remote Kashmiri hamlet becomes the centre of celebration. But this month, in Kathwad village in Tral, 17-year-old Shabnam Sadiq gave her family and community something to gather around — hope. Scoring an impressive 92 percent in her Class 12 Arts stream, Shabnam did what few around her imagined possible.

Growing up in a nomadic Gujjar family, her days were shaped by livestock migrations, economic struggle, and a deep-rooted belief that education, though important, was often out of reach. With no steady electricity, no digital access, and no coaching classes to fall back on, her learning was built on sheer consistency, willpower, and the small, everyday support of a family that backed her quietly but firmly.

Shabnam’s story isn’t dramatic — it’s deeply human. It reflects what’s possible when a young girl chooses to bet on herself, when a community dares to dream through her, and when success doesn’t just break barriers, but gently shifts what the next generation believes is within reach.

A dream born under tarpaulin

“With no roads in our hamlet, no permanent home, and limited financial resources, I have worked hard to study and achieve as many marks as possible, because education........

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