Durg woman becomes commissioned Lt doctor

Raipur: Zoya Mirza, hailing from Durg district of Chhattisgarh, made history by becoming a commissioned Lieutenant doctor in the Indian Army. Her journey reflects resilience, determination and a strong commitment to serving her nation.
Mirza achieved this feat after being conferred with the MBBS degree at the Armed Forces Medical College, a college with a higher cut-off for girls, in 2023-24.In conversation with TOI, she shared the inspiring details of her journey before she starts her duty in Jammu on Sunday.
Speaking about becoming a doctor, she said, “I have been studious since childhood, and seeing my inclination towards studies, my grandmother wished for me to become a doctor and serve people. Unfortunately, she passed away a year ago and couldn’t witness me donning the uniform.” She added, “My family faced financial struggles, so my parents enrolled me in a less reputed private school nearby to afford my fees. I studied there till the third grade. After that, they transferred me to KPS Bhilai, where I finished my education up to the 12th standard.”
Zoya, who was studying biology, started preparing for the NEET during her 12th grade but was unable to succeed. Feeling disheartened by her results, she shifted her focus to pursuing her graduation at Delhi University. However, her grandmother and father persuaded her to take a gap year and relocate to Kota for NEET preparation. “By then, my mother started working as a govt school teacher, and my father as a pitch curator for the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh. Even after that my parents had to borrow money for my education. I went to Kota, but my confidence took a hit when I witnessed other students performing better than me in practice tests,” Zoya recalled. “Fifteen to twenty days before my NEET examination, I had to return home due to my grandmother’s health. Later, I returned to Kota for my second try. I missed the opportunity to secure a seat by just one rank as my rank was 13th, the seat allocation ended at 12th,” she said.
“My grandmother encouraged me to take another chance for NEET and called me back to Bhilai, where I joined a coaching centre,” Zoya mentioned adding, “The teachers in Bhilai, especially Iyer, Vikas, and Sourabh, provided me with great support.”
She said that her grandmother and father used to mention that there are two noble professions being a doctor and a soldier. “By being a doctor, I can serve people, and by joining the defence services, I can serve the nation,” she said.
“In 2019, I cleared the NEET conducted by the National Testing Agency for the first time with 622 marks and opted for AFMC. The cut-off score for female candidates at AFMC was 620, whereas for male candidates, it was 600. Unlike other colleges, AFMC conducts aptitude tests, English tests, and medical examinations during counselling. Completing the 4.5-year MBBS course at AFMC fulfilled my family’s dream. Now, as I have been commissioned in the Indian Army, I can serve as a doctor and as a soldier,” she said with pride.
Shamim Mirza, Zoya’s father, showed his belief in her capability to conquer any challenge. He mentioned that her dedication and passion for assisting others will have a positive influence on the people she helps, whether in the Armed Forces or elsewhere.