Physically-challenged Sultan an inspiration to RU students
Jahidul Islam, RU
Sultan Kabir, a physically challenged student of Rajshahi University (RU), is shining as a beacon of inspiration to students and teachers because of his life struggles and outstanding performances in academics. Thanks to his industriousness, diligence and eagerness, all kinds of hindrances like poverty, physical disabilities and social deprivation have failed to deter him.
Sultans right eye is totally blind and the left is only a tad active. Ye, he has participated in different competitions at the international level and secured different certificates. Above all, this Masters student of the International Relations department has secured the highest CGPA in his Social Science faculty at his university.
As he was physically challenged, classmates would avoid him. He could not see what the teachers were writing on the blackboards but he memorised their lectures. His father, Khayer Huda, is a resident of Jibannagar in Chuadanga district and a vangri (tokay) by profession. Sultan lives with his mother and sister in a small cottage. His struggles in life started when he was in Class IX, when Sultans fatherthe only earning member of the familyfell victim to a brain stroke.
To bear the costs of medicines for his father and other family members, he along with his mother started giving lessons (private tuition), going from house to house in their village. As the first boy from Classes I to X, he secured scholarships in Classes V and VIII respectively. He also secured the first position in the Jessore board in 2009.
Sultan said, Classmates often avoided me, which gave me much pain. But I didnt lose heart and I studied hard. With my best efforts, I secured GPA 4.44 in the SSC examinations in 2011 from Kashem Ali High School though I went to class for only 20 to 25 days in two years. Again, I secured a golden A-plus grade from Utholy College, Chuadanga. However, I went to my college for only a few days as I had to give private lessons to students.
My mother has passed the SSC examinations. She sold the only family asseta cowto send me to Jhenaidah city for university preparations. I took admission at a coaching centre but could not bear the accommodation costs. I returned home but continued my studies. I applied to two units of Dhaka and Rajshahi Universities and was admitted to both institutions. I was admitted to the Information Systems and Library Management department at DU but failed to enrol there. Later, after collecting money from neighbours, I enrolled at the International Relations department of RU, he added.
As the lectures were in English, I couldnt understand them and returned home twice. But my mother requested me to return to class and I did. I participated in the first-year examination and secured CGPA 3.88 out of 4, the highest marks in the Social Science faculty. I completed my BSS degree, securing the first position with CGPA 3.80 in the faculty. Ive been invited to different conferences in Germany, Canada and Austria but thanks to my parlous financial condition, I couldnt attend, he added.
I worked with a voluntary organisation, RU Physically Challenged Development Foundation (PDF), and I learnt many creative ideas from them. I want to prove that The disabled are not disabled, they are differently abled.
He further said: I follow Nelson Mandela and his speeches. He said, When you fly high, people will throw stones at you. But do not look down. Just fly higher so that the stones wont reach you. I want to secure a PhD degree from a renowned university abroad and I want to work for the physically challenged to change attitudes towards them, he signed off.
Shariful Islam, a teacher of the IR department, said, Sultan is a very attentive student. He is an example for our department. I think he should continue his struggle to do better in life and society.
