Anantnag, Dec 15: A talented deaf and mute youth from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district aspires to represent India in cricket. 

Aquib Gull, a resident of the Panzath Qazigund area of Anantnag has so far received over 70 appreciation certificates in cricket and other fields. He has passed 10th and 12th classes with flying colours and is currently pursuing Bachelor in Arts from Government Degree College, Qazigund. 

Aquib has studied computer and sign language at Mohali, Punjab to express his thoughts and ideas in a better way before people.

His family members told Rising Kashmir that Aaqib is “more talented than normal boys” in every field and is considered a number one batsman in the area. 

“He has already shown his talent in cricket, photography, computer and other fields but he is waiting for government support so as to showcase his talent at mega stages,” said his father Gull Mohammad Ganie. “We have full faith in the government that they will give him an opportunity. We also believe that he will bring home laurels.”

“Such persons already suffer from depression due to disability but they get more depressed when they have to sit idle at home. The government must accommodate them,” Ganie said, adding that people shouldn’t look down upon such “special persons” but rather treat them normally. 

Aquib’s parents said questioned the government’s claims of working for the welfare of specially-abled persons. They said their son despite being the district president of the Deaf and Dumb Association Anantnag “hasn’t received anything as of now except the monthly one thousand rupees from the Social Welfare Department”. 

“Our son has secured positions at different stages in cricket and positions in Javelin Throw, Badminton, Running, etc and has over 70 certificates and medals at home,” they said. 

Umaisar Gull, his brother, said Aquib has studied in a normal school up to the 12th class, not in an institute where sign language was available. “Still he passed with good marks,” he said, adding, “Despite being deaf and dumb, he is better than me in every field and no one believes that he is deaf once they witness his talent besides his handsomeness.”

We have been providing him everything he needs and he is being loved by one and all, Umaisar said. “The only thing he needs to prove his mettle is government support.”

The family has appealed to the government to provide Aquib with an opportunity to showcase his talent so that he can represent India at the international level in cricket.