Pantheerankavu (Kerala): Pushing past every limitation, Sheiha Sharmad Khan has achieved UGC-NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) success, turning her father's deeply cherished wish into reality. Sheiha, who was born with a locomotory disability that restricts the movement of her limbs, overcame severe physical constraints to clear the national exam.

The turning point in her life occurred when she was studying in Class 8. Prof A P Abdul Wahab, an Indian National League (INL) leader, visited her home to meet her father, Sharmad Khan, who is an INL district official. After Prof Wahab left, her father lovingly asked her, “Why can't you become a professor like him?” That single question sparked an ambition in young Sheiha, making her resolve to pursue a career in teaching.

Sheiha faced failure three times in her previous attempts, but refused to give up. Determined that disabilities should be overcome rather than grieved, she sat her fourth UGC-NET exam in a wheelchair and secured the JRF.

She completed her schooling at AMUP School Kambiliparamba, GVHSS Kinassery, and Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Chalappuram, before earning her BA and MA degrees from The Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College. Her husband, Ashiq, also strongly supported her academic ambitions. alongside her studies, Sheiha actively works as a motivational speaker at camps organised for persons with disabilities.

Sheiha is the daughter of Sharmad Khan, National League Kozhikode district president, and Tasleema, residing at Manakkancheri in Odumbra Kallikkunnu. She has two siblings, Shamma and Ali Salman.