The Inspiring Journey of Rohi Jan: Visually Impaired PhD Scholar Appointed Assistant Professor at Kashmir University

In a world where challenges often define limitations, Rohi Jan, a visually impaired scholar from Hanjan village in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, has shattered barriers with her remarkable achievement. On April 12, 2025, Rohi was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Kashmir, a milestone that marks not only personal triumph but also a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges. Her journey, rooted in resilience, determination, and academic excellence, is a testament to the power of perseverance against all odds.

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Early Life and Challenges

Rohi Jan, born with 100% visual impairment, grew up in the modest surroundings of Hanjan, a rural village in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. From an early age, she faced the dual challenges of navigating a world designed for the sighted and overcoming societal perceptions about disability. In rural J&K, where access to education for differently-abled individuals is often limited, Rohi’s path was fraught with obstacles. Basic resources like Braille materials, assistive technologies, or specialized teachers were scarce, and cultural stigmas sometimes cast doubt on the potential of visually impaired individuals.

Yet, Rohi’s family played a pivotal role in her journey. Supportive and unwavering, they encouraged her to pursue education with the same zeal as her peers. Her parents, recognizing her intellectual curiosity, ensured she attended school, even when logistics were daunting. This familial backbone, combined with Rohi’s innate resolve, set the stage for her extraordinary academic pursuits.

Educational Pursuit Against All Odds

Rohi’s academic journey began in local schools, where she relied on auditory learning, peer assistance, and sheer memory to keep pace. Her determination caught the attention of teachers, who often went beyond their roles to accommodate her needs. After completing her schooling, Rohi enrolled in a bachelor’s program, a significant step in a region where higher education for visually impaired women remains rare.

Her undergraduate studies paved the way for a master’s degree, where she specialized in education, a field she chose for its potential to transform lives. Excelling in her coursework, Rohi earned accolades for her analytical skills and depth of understanding, often outperforming sighted peers. Her academic brilliance led her to pursue a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Kashmir, focusing on educational methodologies—a topic close to her heart, given her own experiences navigating learning systems as a visually impaired student.

Completing a PhD is a formidable task for anyone, but for Rohi, it meant overcoming additional hurdles: inaccessible research materials, limited digital tools tailored for the visually impaired, and the physical challenge of commuting to the university in Srinagar. She leaned on assistive technologies like screen readers, Braille notetakers, and audio recordings, while also benefiting from the support of mentors and colleagues who transcribed texts or read aloud academic papers. Her dissertation, lauded for its originality, explored inclusive education frameworks, reflecting her commitment to systemic change.

Breaking Barriers: Appointment as Assistant Professor

On April 12, 2025, Rohi Jan’s perseverance culminated in her appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Kashmir, a prestigious institution founded in 1948 and known for its academic rigor. This achievement, reported widely on platformsافق, made her one of the few visually impaired women in India to secure such a role at a major university.

The selection process was rigorous, involving competitive exams and interviews, where Rohi’s expertise and clarity of thought shone through. Her appointment is historic—not only for her personal triumph but also for its symbolism in a region where disability and gender often intersect to limit opportunities. The University of Kashmir, situated at Hazratbal in Srinagar, welcomed her as a role model for students and faculty alike.

Impact and Inspiration

Rohi’s appointment has resonated deeply in J&K and beyond. Social media platforms buzzed with praise, with posts on X calling her an “inspiration” and a symbol that “disability is not inability.” Local media, including Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Images, highlighted her story, emphasizing how she defied odds to achieve academic excellence. Her journey has sparked conversations about accessibility in education, urging institutions to invest in inclusive infrastructure like tactile maps, audio libraries, and trained support staff.

As an Assistant Professor, Rohi is poised to shape future educators. Her courses focus on inclusive pedagogy, drawing from her lived experience to advocate for classrooms that accommodate diverse needs. Colleagues describe her as approachable yet authoritative, with a teaching style that blends empathy with intellectual rigor. Students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, see her as a mentor who proves that ambition need not bow to circumstance.

Challenges in the New Role

Taking up a faculty position at a major university comes with challenges, especially for a visually impaired academic. Preparing lectures requires converting materials into accessible formats, a time-intensive process given the limited availability of advanced assistive tools in J&K. Navigating the sprawling 247-acre campus demands reliance on aides or colleagues, though Rohi is pushing for better accessibility measures, like audio signage.

Grading assignments and conducting research also pose hurdles, as many academic journals and databases aren’t fully compatible with screen readers. Yet, Rohi tackles these with the same tenacity that defined her PhD journey, collaborating with the university’s IT department to explore solutions and advocating for systemic upgrades.

A Beacon for Change

Rohi Jan’s story transcends personal achievement—it’s a call to action. In J&K, where conflict and geography often limit educational access, her success underscores the need for inclusive policies. Nationally, she joins a small but growing cohort of visually impaired academics, like Tarun Kumar Vashisth, who became IIM Ahmedabad’s first blind PhD holder in 2024, and Ishaq Ahmad Magry, a Kashmiri scholar who earned a PhD from JNU in 2023. These trailblazers highlight the potential of differently-abled individuals when given equitable opportunities.

Rohi is vocal about the need for change. In interviews, she urges the government to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, more robustly, ensuring quotas for disabled employees and accessible public spaces. She also mentors visually impaired students, offering guidance on scholarships, technologies, and career paths, hoping to nurture the next generation of scholars.

Conclusion

Rohi Jan’s appointment as Assistant Professor at the University of Kashmir is more than a job—it’s a milestone in J&K’s educational history. From a visually impaired girl in Hanjan to a PhD scholar and now a faculty member, her journey embodies resilience, intellect, and hope. As she steps into her classroom, she carries not just lesson plans but a vision for a world where disability is no barrier to dreams. Her story, celebrated on April 12, 2025, and beyond, will inspire countless others to chase the impossible, proving that with grit and support, no summit is too high.

Sources: Information compiled from posts on X and regional media reports, including Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Images, dated April 12–14, 2025.

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