Top Stories
Defeating polio: A young girl’s inspiring journey of resilience and determination

14-year-old Irtiqa Mehraj, who is currently in 8th grade, wrote her 3rd book. Her father and younger brother are handicapped, while her mother and sister are normal
Srinagar, Feb 06: Despite being affected by polio, a young girl from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district refuses to let her physical disability hold her back. Instead, she has channeled her energy into her passion for writing.
At just 14, Irtiqa Mehraj from Khrew, Pulwama has become a skilled wordsmith. Her unique perspective, shaped by her special abilities, sets her apart from other young writers in the region. Instead of feeling limited by her condition, Irtiqa uses it as inspiration for her creative endeavors.
At only 14 years old, Irtiqa has written three books. She is a writer, public speaker, poetess, and ambassador for the Ellipsis Publication. She wrote her first book at the age of 13 and came into the limelight when “The Star Shines In Dark” was published in 2021.
While talking to Kashmir Bulletin–(KB), Irtiqa said she is the youngest specially-abled writer from the Khrew area of Pulwama district and is very happy with her life. “I learned about my disability when I was 9 and then thought that Allah had given me this life and made it better. I motivated myself and thought, Irtiqa, it’s your life and you can do anything you want,” she said.
“I used to write quotes and one day my younger sister came to me and said, ‘you write very well, you should try writing books,” Irtiqa said.
Irtiqa used to walk on her own feet, but suddenly got rickets and became paralyzed at the age of 12. Now she can walk only with the help of calipers. “I also go to the doctor, but they told me it’s God’s will and to keep exercising. We don’t know how long it will last. I had an operation, but it was not successful,” she said
“So far, I have written three books and they are all available on Amazon. My published books are The Star Shines in Dark, The Deep Secret, and The Desires Were Illusions,” said Irtiqa. (KB)
Top Stories
NTA NEET UG 2023 exam: Registration, important documents, fees, major details students need to know

Registration for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2023 is expected to begin soon for the medical entrance exam that is scheduled to be held on May 7.
However, the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam conducting body, is yet to declare the NEET UG 2023 registration dates.
Once activated, candidates will be able to apply for the NEET UG 2023 application from the official website– neet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in.
NEET UG 2023: How to apply
Go to the official website of the National Testing Agency- neet.nta.nic.in.
Click on the NEET UG 2023 registration link.
Create your login credentials and log in.
Fill up the application form carefully and upload the required documents.
Pay the application fee and submit the form.
The Test pattern of NEET (UG) – 2022 comprises four Subjects. Each subject will consist of two sections. Section A will consist of 35 Questions and Section B will have 15 Questions, out of these 15 Questions, candidates can choose to attempt any 10 Questions.
NEET (UG) – 2022 was conducted as Pen & Paper-based Test.
NEET 2023: Important documents
A valid mobile number
A valid email ID
Scanned Images of the
Candidate’s recent Passport size Photograph
Postcard-size Photograph
Signature
Left and Right-hand Fingers and Thumb impression
Category Certificate (if applicable)
Citizenship Certificate (if applicable)
PwD Certificate (wherever applicable)
Class 10 pass certificate.
NEET UG 2023: Marking scheme
Last year, the NEET UG exam was for 720 marks. The Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official websites of NTA (nta.ac.in) and (neet.nta.nic.in) for the latest updates. (DNA)
Top Stories
Kashmir Innovator Bags Rs 50 Lakh BIRAC BIG Grant

SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) innovator Sameena Lone has been selected for the Government of India’s BIRAC BIG grant worth Rs 50 lakh.
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is a flagship programme of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), which provides the right admixture of fuel and support to young startups and entrepreneurial individuals. BIG is the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)’s largest early-stage biotech funding programme in India. Funding grant of up to Rs 50 lakh (USD 60,500 approx) to best-in-class innovative ideas to build and refine the idea to proof-of-concept.
Sameena Lone, an innovator cum scholar in the SKUAST-K’s Division of Vegetable Science, supervised by Dr Khursheed Hussain, Assistant Professor, Division of vegetable science, SKUAST-K and mentored by Naveed Hamid, BDA, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cell of the university, submitted her innovative proposal on ‘Organic & Disease-Free Seed Potato Production through Tissue Culture in Kashmir’ under Industrial Biotechnology, Clean Energy & Environment category in Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Not-for-Profit Company’ of Government of India which supports technology innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue a promising technology idea, and establish and validate proof of concept (POC) for the idea under the BIG grant scheme a few months back. More than 500 innovators across the country had applied under the said scheme and only 26 got selected for the final pitching round before the panel committee from which only nine innovators were selected under the given category across the nation.
SKUAST-K innovator is the only one from Jammu and Kashmir to receive the BIRAC BIG grant in the present round.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulated the innovator and her team of mentors for securing the BIRAC Grant. He appreciated the level of effort and dedication of the team and support from SKUASTK Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Centre that brought laurels to the University. He further added that such achievements are so precious that they not only boost the morale of the innovators but help in developing the ecosystem for innovations, incubations & startups.
Latest
JKBOSE 10th, 11th, 12th Date Sheets Released For Jammu And Kashmir – Download Here

JKBOSE 10TH, 11TH & 12TH DATES HEETS ISSUED SESSION ANNUAL (REGULAR) 2023 FOR SOFT ZONE AREAS OF UT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR