Help is pouring in for Zahid Ahmad Qureshi, the Kashmiri youth who created history by cracking the IIT despite facing all sort of odds and impoverishment, after dna broke his story on Friday. Zahid, who despite being orphaned by militancy and living in abject poverty, showed grit and cracked the IIT bagging an enviable all-India rank of 89.

From PDP-led government to corporate sector to social organisations, everyone lined up to help Zahid to live his dream.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti assured Zahid all sort of help in pursuing IIT, after the latter called on her. "Mehbooba asked him to just start the journey and leave the rest to us," party spokesperson Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra told dna.

Chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was scheduled to meet Zahid but could not due to his prior engagements.

Several business houses, social activists, journalists, lawyers, corporate honchos, filmmakers' et al. too have offered help. Internet was buzzing with people posting comments and offering help to Zahid to pursue his higher education.

"I have offered Rs 10,000 for counselling fee. Rest I will arrange from film industry," a senior film fraternity member told dna.

Help has also poured in from overseas with people offering finances to Zahid. Qatar-based Mohammad Faizal, who offered Rs 10,000 for admission, wrote: "You won't have to stop studies owing to financial problems, that is taken care."

dna's Mumbai office too received a large number of calls, including one from an MHRD (Ministry of Human Resources Development) official, who rang up on behest of the ministry.

Mubeen Masudi, IIT Bombay alumnus who mentors IIT students, has offered to bear all financial and other expenses plus the mentorship for Zahid for all four years.

"I am getting so many calls... am really elated," Zahid told dna.

People willing to help Zahid can email him at iamzahid123@gmail.com