Another Wani in Kashmir, but he's nothing like Burhan: 26-year-old Nabeel tops all-India BSF exam

They might share the last name but they definitely don’t share each other’s ideas and ideology. Nabeel Ahmed Wani is proud to don Khakhi and fight the very cause which militant commander Burhan Wani espoused. Separated by geographic barriers, the politics of identity and difference and often contrarian aspiration, reflects the greater division even within the majority Muslim community scattered all over Jammu and Kashmir. Nabeel had made his region Jammu proud by topping the All India Examination for BSF Assistant Commandant (Works). He lost his father Rafiq Ahamd Wani, a teacher by profession, two years ago and had to take up a job to support his mother and sister. But despite facing hardships, his goal was clear — he wanted to “serve his nation by joining forces”. Nabeel, 26, is presently working as a junior engineer in the state government and is posted in his home district. A resident of Udhampur district, 70 kilometers from Jammu, Nabeel received a minority scholarship in his college that paved way for him to complete his engineering. He was the topper in his college.  He completed his BTech in 2012 after a senior secondary education from NITL Higher Secondary School in Udhampur. Nabeel said he had given the examination in 2013, but lagged behind by some marks; however, he worked hard and bagged the all-India first rank. Speaking to reporters a few days ago at single-storeyed home in Udhampur, Nabel said that he wanted to do something for his country and his motherland. “Taking a wrong path is easier, but it’s difficult to follow a right path. But, at the end, only those people are successful who take the right path." [caption id=“attachment_3000762” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh meets Nabeel Ahmad Wani who topped BSF exam. Image courtesy: @ANI_news[/caption] “My aim behind joining the force is to do well, and qualify for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and become an important part of the NIA and to play an important role in our country’s security,” Nabeel was quoted as saying to ANI. Ajay Gupta, principle of the NITL Higher Secondary School, said Nabeel always wanted to serve his nation and despite facing finical difficulties he never left the dream of joining the forces. An optimistic boy, Nabeel did not let himself divert from the path of his dream despite his father’s demise or the fact that he was financially very weak, Gupta said. “He has not only made his parents proud, but also the Jammu region and the entire state proud,” Gupta added. Nabeel’s mother Hanifa Begum said it was her son’s dream to join the forces since Class 10 and he worked hard to achieve it. “My happiness has no limits today. He has worked hard to achieve this success. I wish every mother has a son like mine. He is obedient and took risks for us but never left his dream of joining the forces,” Begum said. “He used to give tuition while studying for engineering in Punjab. I never thought he would top the exams through out the country and people will talk about him,” Begum told Firstpost over the phone. “I saw him on TV with the Home Minister (Rajnath Singh). My eyes were filled with tears, I wish his father was alive today. It was his dream, which has been fulfilled today. Every child in the state and country should work hard like Nabeel, they should follow their dreams and make this nation proud,” she added. In an hour-long meeting with top security officials, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Rajnath Singh on Sunday directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in Kashmir and try to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. Singh said that normalcy should be brought back within a week and school and other educational institutions should function as students are worst sufferers during the prolonged turmoil, sources said. Attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were shut completely, the Home Minister told the officials. With inputs from agencies