Selling Naan While Studying: How This Kashmir Boy Cracked NEET To Fulfill His Dream Of Becoming A Doctor

Sajad Mehraj, a naan-seller from Kashmir, balanced his street stall and online classes, scoring 650 in NEET UG to become the first male doctor from his village.

In the remote Kupwara district of Kashmir, 19-year-old Sajad Mehraj has captured hearts with his inspiring journey of perseverance and determination. Balancing the demanding responsibilities of running a street stall and studying online, Sajad scored 650 marks out of 720 in the NEET UG exam, paving his way to becoming the first male doctor from his village.

Sajad, who works long hours at his "Naan Patri" (bread stall), shared his story in a viral video featuring Alakh Pandey, founder of Physics Wallah. Despite the challenges of managing his family's naan business, where he bakes around 300 naans a day, Sajad found time to attend online classes, often plugging his phone in at the stall to watch lectures.

His journey hasn’t been without hurdles. Sajad recalled being discouraged by remarks from a schoolmate who questioned why someone selling naans should even bother attending school. But his sister, who had already broken barriers as the village’s first female doctor, motivated him to rise above these comments and prove everyone wrong.

Sajad's daily routine starts at 4 a.m., spending 7-8 hours at the stall, while studying in between his shifts. He has been working to support his family since the 4th grade, running various street stalls after his father fell ill. Despite financial struggles, Sajad excelled academically, topping his local cluster in 8th grade and winning a scholarship from the Kashmir Education Initiative in 9th grade.

His dreams of becoming a doctor were further fueled by his sister, who is currently in her second year of MBBS at GMC Srinagar. Sajad’s school headmaster played a pivotal role in helping him access affordable online courses, purchasing a discounted Physics Wallah batch for him, which became a key resource in his NEET preparation.

Sajad’s father, a 10th-grade pass out, never let financial hardships stop his children from pursuing education. When neighbors suggested Sajad's sister should quit her studies, their father stood firm, allowing her to continue and eventually become the first doctor in the family. Now, Sajad is set to follow in her footsteps, having secured admission to Government Medical College, Handwara in Kupwara District, Jammu & Kashmir.

Alakh Pandey has assured to cover his college fees as he embarks on his medical journey.

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