Kupwara, March 17: In a moment of immense pride for North Kashmir, Dr. Danish Illahi from Machil, who was born and raised in Kuligam, Lolab, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by qualifying the highly competitive NEET-SS (Super Speciality) examination in open merit, securing a DM in Neurology.
This remarkable accomplishment places Dr. Danish among the country’s top medical achievers and marks a historic first—he becomes the first-ever neurologist from Lolab Valley as well as District Kupwara.
Dr. Danish completed his MBBS and MD in Medicine from Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar. His journey to success is particularly inspiring, shaped by personal hardship and resilience. Having lost his father at the age of one, he was raised singlehandedly by his mother, Mrs. Arjumand Akhter, a dedicated teacher who has since retired. Her perseverance and his unwavering commitment to excellence have culminated in this distinguished achievement.
Dr. Danish is set to serve at the Super Speciality Hospital, Shireen Bagh (SMHS), Srinagar, where he will contribute his expertise to the field of neurology and patient care.
Adding to the family’s academic distinction, his brother, Dr. Ajlal Hassan, has also completed his MBBS and MD in Pediatrics from GMC Srinagar and is currently pursuing a fellowship in Neonatology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.
Expressing her joy, his sister Mir Sabahat said, “This achievement is not just a personal milestone for our brother but a moment of pride for our entire family and the people of Lolab. We have seen his struggles, his dedication, and his relentless hard work over the years. Today, it feels like a dream fulfilled, especially for our mother, whose sacrifices made all of this possible.”
The achievement has been widely celebrated across Kupwara and Lolab, with many hailing it as a source of inspiration for aspiring students in the region.