Parray Pora and the Paradox of Possibilities

A Kashmiri sister challenges STEM bias to support her brother's pursuit of arts amid systemic and social hurdles.

- Aisha Hasnain

My younger brother recently appeared in his 10th board examination through JKBOSE. A curious kid by nature, he keeps experimenting with things. Sadly, those things are not scientific gadgets. He will not become an engineer. Or a doctor.

I knew it since a year, and I knew I would be the one to help him assess other promising disciplines. I knew the answer very well, but since I am a good advocate, I asked him, "Baby, are you interested in mathematics?" "No!" He left no doubt about it. "Can physics or chemistry be your calling?" "No, I do not understand them well." "Alright," I said, "I think you will do something in arts. I see you are interested in language."

I decided that once his board exams were over, I would see a good private school for him where he could find opportunities to realize his potential. I was considering CBSE, and I had it sorted in my mind. Subconsciously, he sometimes calls me 'Mama'.

His subconscious sees me as a substitute to a mother for him if or when he needs one. He has put his faith in me. My friend told me that when she had asked him about what he was thinking of pursuing after grade 10, he replied, "That Aisha Di will decide." A year has passed, his board examination is over, and it is time to get things done for him.

I have come to know that if I get him admitted in a private school outside of our village's vicinity, he will not receive a backward certificate. Practically speaking, that is a big issue.

Here I am not going to speak of the principles or unethical exploitation, if any, behind a backward certificate. For now, the matter at hand for me is that we belong to the backward category and whomever I asked for suggestions, nobody supported my decision of giving up a backward certificate by getting him admitted in one of the top schools in the valley. And since it is my brother and not my certificate or future, I have no say in whether he should or should not need it.