Shot By Terrorists But Unstoppable, This Kashmiri Teacher Continues To Educate 200 Children

“I felt the bullet hit me, and the sharp pain knocked me to the ground. As I lay there, my whole life flashed before my eyes. Was this the end? When I finally opened my eyes, I was in the hospital, surrounded by my family. The fear in their eyes told me something was terribly wrong. The doctor then gave me the news that changed everything: I would never walk again,” recalls Javed Tak, the founder of Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education in Kashmir.

The year was 1997, and 21-year-old Javed was at his uncle’s house in Bijbehara, Anantnag, when gunmen attacked. They had come for his cousin, and in an attempt to protect him, Javed was shot in the spine. The bullet severely damaged his spinal cord, kidney, pancreas, and intestines. He spent years confined to a bed and is now in a wheelchair. But none of this has broken his spirit. With unwavering determination, Javed chose to dedicate his life to helping others with disabilities. 

But none of this has broken his spirit. With unwavering determination, Javed chose to dedicate his life to helping others with disabilities.  His commitment to creating a lasting social impact earned him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021. But Javed says his greatest accomplishment is witnessing the smiles on these children's faces as they learn and grow.

Javed believes that a brighter future isn't built on fear but on the foundation of hope 

Javed spent an entire year in the hospital and then another three years bedridden. It felt like he had lost the will to live. He was unsure of what to do after life had dealt him such a tough hand. But gradually, the sound of kids playing outside reignited his determination. He felt a strong urge to start teaching them.

"I ended up teaching over 90 kids for four years, completely free of cost. I even provided them with books, uniforms, and bags. That's when I discovered the true joy of being a teacher and the power of transforming lives. As someone with a disability myself, I often wondered how disabled children in this area manage to attend tuition classes and cope with their challenges. I wanted to do something to support them.” 

In 2006, Javed started the  Zaiba Aapa Institute Of Inclusive Education. He wanted to give differently-abled children a life filled with happiness and dignity. Many of them had faced severe discrimination and were found in heartbreaking conditions. At the institute, they found a loving and nurturing environment where they could truly flourish. The school building is also made in a very accessible manner making it all the more easier for the special kids. 

“Our teachers dedicate themselves every day to understanding and supporting each child's unique needs. We want these children to grow up as confident individuals who never see themselves as a burden on anyone else.”

Javed’s love for these kids shines through in every word he speaks about them, and the feeling is mutual—they absolutely adore their ‘Sir.’ Though wheelchair-bound, Javed is an inspiring example to these children, proving that even in the face of challenges, one can still shine brightly.

Today, around 200 differently-abled students study at the school, guided by a caring team of 25 staff members, including 10 specially trained teachers. These students have excelled not just in academics, but also in sports and various other activities, showing what they are truly capable of. 

This Teacher’s Day, let’s help this dedicated educator change even more lives 

Javed and his team urgently need your support. They need a vehicle to bring children who live far away to school, physiotherapy equipment to meet the kids’ special needs, wheelchairs, and groceries to provide nourishing meals.

Your help can make all the difference in the lives of these incredible children.

About the NGO: Shot by a bullet and left paralysed, Javed Ahmad Tak is now wheelchair-bound. But this hasn’t stopped him from dedicating his life to serving others with disabilities. In 2006, he founded the Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education in Kashmir. For years, Javed and his committed team have been tirelessly working to give these special children a life of dignity.