A specially-abled girl from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has passed 10th class board examination with flying colours securing 90 percent marks.
Tabia Iqbal, 16, hailing from Nowgam village of Shangus area secured 90.4 percent (452/500) marks in the secondary school examination conducted by J&K Board of School Education (BOSE), the result of which was declared on Friday.
Youngest among three sisters, Tabia was born with hearing and speech impairment.
She was admitted in a local school, but at five years of age, she suddenly developed rheumatoid arthritis, forcing her to quit school.
Tabia needed a wheelchair to stand, but that did not deter her to continue her studies.
She would only study at home and then write examinations.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, her father Muhammad Iqbal said, “Yes, life has been very difficult for her, but she never complained about it.”
He said her daughter took up all challenges and never let them feel that she was lacking in any manner. “We took her to every hospital but could not get the cure for her. Yet she always carries a smile on her face and thanks Allah for what she is. This gave a lot of hope to me, her mother, and even her two elder sisters,” Iqbal said. “She speaks a few words, which only people who live with her can understand and has 90 percent hearing impairment.”
However, he said she only goes out on the wheelchair with help of others.
“She wants to continue her studies and I hope she will do good in whatever field she goes,” Iqbal said.
Her mother Muneera said, “Taiba is an inspiration to all of us. She has taught us the meaning of life.”