Bantwal: Physical Disability No Challenge to Mohd Rafiq

News & Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Aug 22: He is different from others and possesses exemplary self-confidence. Besides, he wants to lead his life as a role model to others.

This is the struggle of Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Mangilapadav, near Vittal, who despite his polio-stricken leg, excelled as a high school teacher.

Rafiq is the youngest of seven children born to B S Suleiman and Mariamma, residents of Mangilapadav. He was normal when he was a year old, but was one leg was later affected by polio. He attended
class I in a school in his neighbourhood despite limping till he was seven years. Meanwhile, his mentor Ibrahim Master, also a resident of Mangilapadav, encouraged him to walk more comfortably using a stick.
The stick gave him more confidence to move about freely and pursue studies up to B Ed. 

Rafiq is a living example of what an individual can accomplish through sheer confidence and grit. He completed his primary education in Okkettoor and high school studies from Goltamajal High School.
Despite his disability, he was good at games such as volleyball, cricket, and shuttle badminton. “The interest in sports has boosted my self-confidence to help overcome my disability”, says Rafiq.
He still cherishes the occasion when he bagged a prize in shuttle badminton in high school.

Rafiq pursued B Ed studies at SDM College, Ujire, in Beltangady taluk, since he aspired to become a teacher and set an example for students to achieve something in life. His aspirations have come true and now he is working as a teacher at Gem Public School, Goltamajal. He teaches English, Kannada, and Social Studies at the high school and inspires hundreds of students to excel in life.

The physical disability has not been a deterrent to Rafiq although he travels daily by public transport from Mangilapadav to Goltamajal. He acknowledges the support of his friends, juniors, and seniors during his studies. The students in his high school love him and co-operate with him.

Rafiq is pursing M A studies through correspondence and aspires to do his PhD with a thesis on the study of the physically disabled in society. He gets a state benefit of Rs 1,000 per month for the physically disabled and serves as secretary of the taluk unit of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Association of Physically Handicapped.

Rafiq moves without the support of crutches at home and his parents support him all through. Tears filled his eyes as Rafiq described how his family coped with his disability.

The state education department deserves kudos for awarding a teacher’s job to the talented Rafiq who has taken life as a challenge and set an example for others by securing gainful employment and earning a decent living.