Disabled boy’s long fight for a village school pays off, Prime Minister Modi’s office intervenes

Muhammed Asim‘s long and hard struggle has finally paid off. What could a 13-year-old from Kozhikode, Kerala, be fighting for, you may ask. It’s for a better school in his village, a plea that has been taken note of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Asim, who was born without hands, had to drop out in Class 7 as the school in his village did not cater to students above that. Asim had to travel to another school located five kilometres away from his home and this became hard for his family members, who have to accompany him.

So this child started petitioning authorities, first in his village and later even in the state government to upgrade his village school so could pursue his ambitions to study further. His family even started a Facebook page called Justice4Asim – Upgrade His School
for this purpose, with the appeal:

#Jusitce4Asim is a tribute to the inspiring spirit of little Asim, who just wants his school upgraded. This is a campaign reminding Kerala Government to fulfil Asim’s desire at the earliest. If the school is upgraded to a High School level, it is just not Asim alone will benefit, but the entire village. Justice4Asim – Upgrade His School

Asim took upon himself to contact various leaders, including Kerala Chief Minister K Vijayan and Congress party President Rahul Gandhi. In a loving gesture, Gandhi carried Asim in his hands and interacted with him, a video of which he shared on Facebook. But beyond the optics nothing happened.

Finally Asim’s patience and spirit has paid off and PM Modi has directed the Union Human Resource Development Ministry to work with the state education department and resolve the issue with immediate effect.

Asim and his family are elated and in a media statement, he said, “My education is my right. I want to study well and want to become a teacher. Once I achieve this, I will work among people like me to improve their lives.

Asim’s struggle has won him admirers around India, who see in his story, the way forward.

“This is great news for students in India who are trying to get education despite lack of resources and infrastructure. Even after getting independence, our country is yet to fight the war against illiteracy, Asim is a fighter who will light the way for many others. “Aniruddhsinh Padheriya, Director, Ananta International School.

This is a huge win for the boy and will hopefully pave the way for many others like him.