Zoya Mirza, from Durg district, Chhattisgarh, has carved her name in history by achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the first woman from her state to be commissioned as a lieutenant doctor in the prestigious Indian Army. Her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to serving her nation. Zoya's path to success was not without its hurdles. Despite encountering financial obstacles early in her life, she embarked on her academic journey with zeal, attending a less-known private school initially and later excelling at KPS Bhilai.
Her pursuit of excellence led her to aspire to a career in medicine, a dream she pursued with unwavering resolve. However, the road to fulfilling her aspirations was fraught with challenges. Following a disappointing first attempt at the NEET exam during her 12th grad- year, Zoya found herself at a crossroads. Undeterred by initial setbacks, she shifted her focus to pursuing her undergraduate studies at Delhi University, where she found success. Yet, her unwavering ambition and familial encouragement led her to take a gap year to prepare for NEET once more, this time in Kota, a decision that would ultimately shape her destiny.
Supported by her father, Shamim Mirza, whose unwavering belief in her capabilities served as a guiding light, Zoya dedicated herself entirely to her studies. Despite facing personal hardships, including returning home just days before her exams due to her grandmother's serious health issues, Zoya's determination remained unshaken. Her perseverance bore fruit when she cleared the NEET with an impressive score of 622 marks, paving the way for her admission to the esteemed Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune.
Zoya's decision to join AFMC was pivotal, considering the institution's higher cut-off scores for female candidates, which stood at 620 marks compared to 600 for male candidates. Undeterred by these challenges, Zoya not only met but exceeded the requirements, earning her place in the 4.5-year MBBS course. Her tenure at AFMC was marked by dedication, hard work, and a passion for serving others, qualities that would define her illustrious career ahead. Upon completing her degree with commendable marks, Zoya achieved a historic milestone by being commissioned into the Indian Army as a lieutenant doctor, a role that allowed her to fulfill her lifelong ambition of serving both as a healer and a protector of her nation. Her first posting in Jammu marks the beginning of a promising career in military medicine.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/Krisha Shah/SB)
