Srinagar, June 9 -- By Uzma Majid

The morning of my practical and viva examination began well enough. I packed my bag, reached college on time and spent the minutes before the exam revising nervously.

Then a classmate asked to borrow a pen so she could write her roll number on the cover page of her practical notebook.

A wave of panic hit me immediately.

My notebook was missing.

The same notebook I had worked on throughout the academic year sat at home on my bookshelf while I stood in college waiting for my examination.

Every page represented months of effort, and every diagram, correction and observation suddenly felt out of reach.

I called my brother in desperation. Between hurried explanations and anxious instructions, I guided h...