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| Shihab Pookkottur, Calicut University, Tenhipalam, Malappuram |
He was born with neither legs nor hands. Yet today he paints, plays piano and violin, and is a motivational speaker.
Shihab Pookkottur, now a post graduate student of Calicut University, was one among the 7 siblings. For the first 6 years of his existence, he spent his time inside a dark room, unable to face the unhelpful expression of sympathy and wonder by guests and relatives.
His first desire for change occurred when he witnessed, through the slit in the door, his brothers and sisters playing with their parents. From then onwards he made a conscious effort to try to stand erect, and then to take tiny steps, one at a time. At night, when the 9-member family slept on the floor of their two-roomed house, he came out of the dark room and practiced walking without touching the sleeping bodies.
At the age of 13, he insisted on going to a school. He cleared the entrance exam and was admitted in Standard 8. At home, when he saw his younger brothers playing cricket, he taught himself to play the game. Later he learned to play football too.
On the academic front, he cleared Standard 10 with 96% marks as the topper of the school. For Plus Two, he studied Physics and despite the practical difficulties associated with practical classes, scored 85% marks. His desire was to study medicine, but for a student with just 25% bodily efficiency, that was a tall order.
However, his academic achievements enhanced his confidence. He later joined B.A.English. Here girls were his constant help. One friend even took upon herself the task of hand feeding him for 3 years.
‘I have only dreamed’, says Shihab. ‘It is my friends who have taken upon themselves the task of encouraging me and providing all necessary support,’’ he says. His desire is to start an academy for magic, motivational speech and entertainment.
Another desire of his is to obtain a doctorate. At least that way he hopes to realise his dream to be a doctor.
Courtesy: Tency Jacob (text), Arun Payyadimeethal (photo), Vanitha, May 1-14, 2017
