Kashmiri Girl Gets Full Scholarship To Study Aeronautical Engineering At UPenn
Srinagar :A Kashmiri girl has created history after she was offered a scholarship by the prestigious University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), USA, to pursue her dream of becoming an Aeronautical Engineer.
Adeeba Tak from Shopian will find her name in the history books for being one of the very few students across the world who managed to get a full scholarship from University of Pennsylvania!
When the whole Valley was in the grip of unrest and curfew for about four months in 2016, Adeeba Tak from the Shopian district was busy working hard on her studies.
“I had a dream of becoming an engineer. Everyone said why pursue it, it is not good for girls. I, however, continued. My teachers were a real help. There were times when we didn’t know what was happening around. There was so much unrest in 2016, but our teachers ensured we continued to study,”
Tak credits her success to the coaching centre, RISE, which hand-picked her for the scholarship.
“Before joining RISE, I never thought that a girl from Kashmir can make it to US on a 100% scholarship. But the environment and the dedication of the teachers motivated me and inspired me,” she said.
A huge admirer of former scientist-President A P J Abdul Kalam, she says she has no role model apart from her mother.
Her mother, a college graduate who did not get an opportunity to study further in the conservative society of Shopian, taught both her daughters to be independent and decide their own fate.
Adeeba’s elder sister is studying medicine.
Tak asserted that the women in our society should not allow gender to decide their capabilities.
“I have this message for the young students of Kashmir that dream big and always keep that courage and dedication to make those dreams come true. Girls in our society should not let their gender decide their capabilities and stay dedicated to their aspirations and dreams.”
“Over the past two years, Adeeba has consistently worked hard in the pursuit of her childhood dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer. We are confident that Adeeba with her never let go her attitude and humility, will make the most of her time at UPenn and will scale unprecedented heights. She will become an inspiration for the youth in years to come. We wish her all the very best,” read an official statement from RiSE.
