Srinagar: It's a silent revolution of sorts in Kashmir and the person leading it is 16-year-old Arwa Imtiyaz. The Class 10 student from Srinagar plays the crucial role of a translator for over 250 speech and hearing impaired sportspersons registered with the Jammu and Kashmir sports association.
"They faced problems whenever they wanted to communicate with somebody. I saw that nobody was helping them. So I have made it a mission to be with them and help them all through my life," she says.
Arwa derives her passion for serving people with special needs from home. Four of her family members cannot speak or hear. What began as a helping hand for relatives later got expanded to community service. When she was in Class 5, she began accompanying sportspersons with special needs as they travelled with the state, even if that meant skipping her studies.
Arwa's father Imtiyaz Ahmad, an auto driver, says she proud of what his daughter is doing. "She has to miss school sometimes to accompany them to stadium and other places. She faced many difficulties but didn't stop. We gave her all help. The work she is doing is really pious," said Mr Ahmad.
Arwa says she has plans to extend her sphere of service as she grows up. But given her family's meagre earnings, she is banking on the prayers of people she has helped.
"My aim is to become a doctor but my father can't pay my tuition fees. It's now up to God. Maybe, I will be a doctor one day with the help of their prayers," she says.
"They faced problems whenever they wanted to communicate with somebody. I saw that nobody was helping them. So I have made it a mission to be with them and help them all through my life," she says.
Arwa derives her passion for serving people with special needs from home. Four of her family members cannot speak or hear. What began as a helping hand for relatives later got expanded to community service. When she was in Class 5, she began accompanying sportspersons with special needs as they travelled with the state, even if that meant skipping her studies.
Arwa says she has plans to extend her sphere of service as she grows up. But given her family's meagre earnings, she is banking on the prayers of people she has helped.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
24 Hours After Terror Attack, Encounter Continues In J&K's Doda Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport Confirmed to Launch in China on July 19: What We Know So Far "Very Proud, But...": Family Mourns Captain Thapa, Killed In J&K Encounter 2,200 Jobs, 25,000 Aspirants: Air India Spot Sparks Stampede Scare In Mumbai 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Trump's Running Mate Calls UK "Truly Islamist State With Nuclear Weapons Delhi Doctors Report Rise In Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease In Children World Emoji Day 2024: Know Date, History And Significance BJP Huddle In UP Today To Review By-Election Preps After Big Poll Setback Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.