And the Unsung Heroes of Government Schools
Zaffarullah Naik
In a remarkable tale of determination and dedication, a youth from a remote village of Doda district proves that self-study with strong determination and while reading in government schools can produce excellence when supported by passionate parents and educators.
In an educational landscape often dominated by narratives of expensive coaching institutes and private schooling, a story from the quiet village hamlet called Dharouth nestled in tehsil Kastigarh serves as a powerful and inspiring counter-narrative .Harish Rania an 18 years-old son of the soil, has not only qualified the prestigious National Eligibility -Cum-Entrance Test 2025 (NEET) in his very first attempt but has also single-handedly busted a previous myth. His success proclaims that with determination, right guidance and the foundational strength of government schools, even students from the most remote corners of the country can scale the highest academic peaks.
Harish’s journey is not one of privilege, but of perseverance. Born on September 5, 2006 in the humble setting of Dharouth, his academic foundation was laid at the Government Upper Primary School (UPS) Banzal; a small village hamlet situated nearly 10 kilometers above the village Dharouth. Harish was admitted there in the school in class first in 2012 because his mother Smt. Bandhana Devi who is a school teacher was posted there at UPS Banzal. Harish’s parents instead of enrolling their kid in a nearby private/ government school preferred to get their kids enrolled in the school where their mother was serving. It was here, within the walls of a government school, that the first seeds of curiosity and discipline were sown. Under the supervision and guidance of his mother Bandhana Devi, Harish studied there from the first standard in 2012 to the eighth in 2020. In class 9th he got admission at Government Higher Secondary School Kastigarh and passed his class 12th examination with flying colours in 2024.Unlike countless aspirants who migrate to urban coaching hubs, Harish’s entire school life, from his first alphabet to the complex equations of class 12th, was nurtured within the government school system.
The decision to prepare for NEET, one of the most competitive exams in the country, without enrolling in a formal coaching institute was a bold one. This vision was shared and championed by his father Ajay Kumar Raina, a Senior lecturer in Botany himself. Mr. Ajay is a dedicated educator, harboured a belief that was against the popular tide: that his son could conquer NEET while studying in a government school, relying on self-study without the crutch of expensive external coaching. This was not merely a wish but a conscious faith on the innate potential of his son, proper guidance from the parents and teachers and capabilities of the public education system.
Harish’s preparation strategy was a blend of old-school values and new-age resources. While he benefited from the direct mentorship of his father and mother and the dedicated teachers at Govt. HSS Kastigarh, he smartly leveraged the digital revolution in education. Online platform, specifically Physics Walla (PW), became his virtual classroom. This hybrid model – strong offline foundational support from parents and teachers and supplementary online guidance- proves to be a replicable blueprint for countless aspirants across the UT who have the talent but lack the means for exorbitant coaching fees.
His success is far more than a personal milestone; it is multi-layered victory with profound implications.
Firstly, it serves as a beacon of hope for thousands of students studying in government schools, especially in rural and remote areas. Often, these students and their families labour under a crippling sense of inferiority, believing that achievements like clearing NEET or JEE are reserved for their urban, privately- coached counterparts. Harish Raina stands as living proof that geographical location and the type of school do not define one’s potential. His story screams that talent is universal, even if opportunity is not, and that it can be nurtured anywhere with the right spirit.
Secondly, and perhaps most significant, Harish’s triumph is a magnificent tribute to the army of often -underestimated government teachers/ lecturers across JK. It shatters the stereotypical image of the government teachers /lecturers as indifferent or incompetent. Instead, it highlights that these professionals are capable of working wonders, acting as mentors and providing world class guidance when a student is willing to learn. It is pertinent to mention here that about six students from Tehsil Kastigarh alone have qualified NEET exam 2025 among them a few come from the same background and followed the same approach. I personally congratulate them for their strong determination, enthusiasm and thus the grand success they achieved. The principal and the staff of Govt. HSS Kastigarh and their parents deserve immense appreciation and applause who demonstrated that passion for teaching can flourish within government institutions.
Furthermore, the achievement reinforces the critical importance of parental support and belief. Mr. Ajay’s and Bandhana Devi’s unwavering faith in their son, their un-flinched yearning to see their son scale heights proved to be the bedrock of Harish’sconfidence. They provided guidance, moral and ethical support and taught him how to remain focused and follow a consistent approach by virtue of which he cracked such a prestigious exam by the dint of his hard work and determination. It was really parents’ dream, not pressured by obsession, but powered by encouragement and quiet belief in self- reliance.
Harish Raina’s story is not an isolated incident but a clarion call. It is a compelling argument for reinvesting faith and resources into our government schooling system. It shows that the infrastructure for excellence exists; it needs to be recognized, celebrated and strengthened. His journey from the classrooms of UPS Banzal to become a NEET qualifier is a narrative that should be echoed in every village, every town and every government school in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.
It tells every student staring at a seemingly distant dream: “you can do it too “It reminds every student that his /her hard work, focused mind, consistent approach and unwavering faith in him /her has a profound, life-altering impact. And it assures every parent that belief and support are the most valuable coaching a child can ever receive. Harish hasn’t just qualified for a medical seat; he has prescribed a strong dose of inspiration and a renewed formula for success to remote and rural aspirants.
(The author is Sr. Lecturer Economics, Government Higher Secondary School, Khellani, Doda)
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