After two years of continuous effort, a Kashmiri boy’s dream came true when he received substantial funding for his research project from an English university.
Thirty-three-year-old Danish Zahoor, a resident of Srinagar’s Soura area, received funding of INR 1.3 crores to pursue his research in Migration Studies at the University of Leeds Business School, England.
“This was after nearly two years of persistent efforts in applying for research projects and sending multiple research proposals. But my passion for research and academia has been a long-standing one,” Danish said.
His research project is about the human rights issues of migrant agricultural workers in England. “My project revolves around migrant workers, who are especially vulnerable because they are mostly seasonal workers and do not have any political stake in any particular society. There is very little research done on this topic there. My project is pioneering work, and I hope it goes well for me.”
Danish completed his schooling at Burn Hall School and then graduated from the University of Kashmir in Business Administration. After qualifying for the prestigious Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Test, he pursued his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Symbiosis International University, Pune. “I did my MBA in Marketing and Finance. After completing my MBA, I was recruited by the multinational firm Ernst & Young, where I started working in Mumbai as a Business Consultant. I have always prioritised my education and have been fortunate to receive high-quality education throughout my academic career.”
However, he was always interested in research, writing, and academia. “I soon quit the job and started working independently as a Content Writer and Strategist with a number of clients across industries while simultaneously pursuing my Master’s in Political Science through correspondence. After returning to Kashmir, I joined the education department, where I taught Political Science and also worked as a Teacher Trainer.”
“And since I have double masters, I wanted my project to reconcile both of these areas. My project does not only have a political aspect but also a business aspect. My project has a dual aspect, and I suggested the topic myself,” Danish acknowledged.
However, Danish has had his own set of challenges. “I have also had to deal with a fair share of my own challenges and complications, especially with respect to battling poor mental health. It is something that I have felt has often restricted me from achieving my full potential.”
As Danish gears up and prepares to leave for his research programme in October, he believes that his hard work is finally paying off. “Through my research, I hope to change lives for the better by helping draft policies that improve conditions for vulnerable immigrant workers. For me, that will always matter more than monetary or career benefits.”
Danish’s father was a government official in the Industries Department, and his mother retired as a teacher.
