Accident took his hands, not his will

At only 14, Rafikul Islam Rabbi is already a source of inspiration. 

He lost his both hands in an accident two years ago, but he refused to give up his studies. He is taking this year's Primary Education Completion exam with a pen between his teeth.  

Son of Bazlur Rahman, a day labourer from Sitakunda in Chattogram, Rabbi was supposed to sit for the PEC test in 2016. But a tragic incident just weeks before the exam altered his life.

On October 5 that year, the boy, along with some of his friends, went to see the construction work of a footbridge near the school during tiffin break, said Gazi Humayun Kabir, headmaster of Bhatiari Govt Primary School.

There were little safety measures, which put the boys at risk. Unaware of the danger, Rabbi stepped too close to a high voltage electric wire that lay bare and was electrocuted, said Humayun.

The construction company, Taher and Brothers, gave about Tk 50,000 for his treatment but it could not save his hands. Doctors at Chattogram Medical College Hospital had to amputate both his hands to save his life, said his father.

After returning home from the hospital after six months, he initially showed signs of depression. But soon he gathered himself and focused on his studies.

“First, he tried to learn to write by holding a pen with his toes, but he couldn't,” said his father.

Then one day, he read a report about a physically challenged student who learnt to write by holding a pen between his teeth.

It was the story of Bahar Uddin Raihan, a second-year student of Chittagong University, that inspired him. Rabbi got in touch with him soon afterwards.

“Rabbi is an enthusiastic and brave child. All he needs is proper support. I always try to prop him up mentally. That is the biggest challenge,” said Bahar, who speaks to Rabbi from time to time. 

Within a year, Rabbi went back to school, determined to take the largest public examination in the country.

“I want to complete my studies and apply for a government job in future,” Rabbi told The Daily Star just before the Bangladesh and Global Studies exam on Sunday at Bhatiari Hazi TAC High School.

His little cousin was seen turning the pages for him later during the exam.

“In our country, it would be normal for a physically challenged child of a day labourer to start begging on the streets after such an incident. But this kid was not born for that,” said the headmaster.