Losing both hands in a tragic accident could have ended the educational journey of many students. However, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Rabbi refused to let his physical challenges destroy his dreams. Through extraordinary determination, patience, and perseverance, he continued his education by learning to write with his mouth and eventually mastering the skill of writing with his feet. His remarkable efforts have now brought him another significant achievement: a GPA-5 in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. Having previously secured a GPA-5 in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, Rabbi is now determined to pursue higher education and fulfil his dream of becoming a scientist.
Rafiqul is the son of Bazlur Rahman, a resident of Bhatiari Union under Sitakunda Upazila in Chattogram. He appeared in this year's HSC examination from the Science Department of Chittagong Government Model School and College, where he achieved the highest possible GPA of 5.00. Before this accomplishment, he had also earned a GPA-5 in the 2024 SSC examination from Haji Tobarak Ali High School in Bhatiari. These consecutive academic successes demonstrate his dedication to education despite the physical difficulties he has faced.
Rafiqul's life changed dramatically on October 5, 2016, when he was a fifth-grade student. While returning home from school, he became entangled in an electric wire on the Bhatiari footbridge and suffered a severe electric shock. The incident caused serious injuries to both his hands, resulting in heavy bleeding. Local residents immediately rescued him and took him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment. He remained under medical care for several months and eventually recovered from the accident. Unfortunately, the injuries were so severe that doctors had no option but to amputate both his hands.
Following the accident, many people feared that Rafiqul would no longer be able to continue his education. Nevertheless, he refused to accept his circumstances as a barrier to achieving his ambitions. Instead of abandoning his studies, he began searching for alternative ways to write. Initially, he practised writing by holding a pen with his mouth. Although the process was difficult and required considerable effort, he gradually developed the ability to write. He continued using this method until completing the eighth grade. Later, recognising that writing with his mouth was relatively slow, he began practising with his feet. Through consistent practice and determination, he eventually mastered the technique. Since then, he has completed his academic work and participated in examinations by writing with his feet.
Rafiqul acknowledged that encouragement from his family, teachers, and other well-wishers played an important role in his journey. He also expressed gratitude to local journalists who have supported him by highlighting his struggles and achievements through newspaper reports. According to him, the combined assistance of these individuals and his personal determination have helped him reach this stage of success. Looking ahead, he hopes to study science at Chittagong University and eventually establish himself as a scientist.
His father, Bazlur Rahman, explained that the family has been struggling financially for years. Both he and his wife work as daily wage labourers to meet their household expenses. Following Rafiqul's accident, several individuals and organisations came forward to support his medical treatment and educational expenses. Ferdous Quaderi, a researcher and physician at ICDDRB, has been providing financial assistance for Rafiqul's education. Additionally, a teacher named Osman has been offering him free coaching. His father expressed gratitude to everyone whose contributions helped save his son's life and enabled him to continue studying. Rafiqul's achievements are also a source of pride for his family. His sister, Rokaiya Akhtar, has completed her graduation in the commerce department from Bhatiari Bijoy Sarani College in Rouzar.
Former Bhatiari Union Parishad chairman, Nurul Anwar, praised Rafiquli's determination and positive attitude. He observed that Rafiqul never viewed himself as incapable because of his physical condition. Instead, he firmly believed that he could accomplish anything others could achieve. According to Anwar, this strong mindset and relentless effort have been the driving forces behind Rabbi's success.
Rafiqul's journey is an inspiring example of how determination, courage, family support, and access to educational opportunities can help individuals overcome seemingly impossible challenges. His achievements prove that physical limitations do not determine a person's potential. With his academic success and ambition to become a scientist, Rafiqul continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams regardless of the obstacles they encounter.
At the same time, his journey highlights the importance of creating a more accessible and inclusive educational environment for students with disabilities. Educational institutions should provide appropriate facilities, assistive technologies, accessible infrastructure, and flexible examination arrangements to ensure that students like him can learn and demonstrate their abilities without unnecessary barriers. Alongside institutional support, greater awareness, financial assistance, and equal opportunities are essential to help students with disabilities pursue higher education and achieve their ambitions. Making education accessible is not merely an act of support, it is a commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of physical ability, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
