PANAJI
Zulkas Beig lives with a locomotive disability today because of a major accident that changed his life completely when he was just 26. On 6 October 2014, his vehicle crashed into a large six-wheeled truck on a slope. The crash was so severe that his vehicle was completely crushed. Zulkas suffered multiple fractures across his body, including his right hand and both legs, leaving him permanently disabled.
“There were multiple fractures in my right hand, injuries on left lower leg and right knee. Also, both legs were fractured. I was unconscious and had vague memories of my entries and exits in various hospitals for over three months, and was brought home finally, in January 2015.”
During this time, his family took full care of him. His mother stayed by his side, caring for him and giving him hope that this was not the end. Once back home, he remained on the bed for over 15 months, unable to move or do anything.
“It took me a while to understand that at the point I have to look myself, when everyone around will be busy in their own life. I managed to accept my disability and learnt to live with it,” says Zulkas, who slowly moved from using a wheelchair, to crutches, and then to callipers. But he still had no job and no income. Feeling like a burden on his already struggling family pushed him to take small steps and try to walk again.
“The doctors had done grafting on one of my legs, with flesh removed from thigh and grafted in the left leg. My right leg is stiff. Though the rod is removed, plates are still there. Both legs had rods. Left leg rod is removed. Right hand elbow has plates, and is crooked. I am living with these deformities, which cannot be corrected. But being an optimistic, I have not given up smiling,” claims Zulkas.
Zulkas remembers how the accident meant the family lost one earning member. When he was able to walk a little, he began looking for work. “After my accident my first job was in TVS Motors as service consultant. Then I shifted my job at Starlight Restaurant at Arpora as cashier and I am thankful to the owner, Mohan Divkar and his wife Namita Divkar for giving me opportunity to work and learn new skills under their guidance.”
Then came a turning point in his life. In 2017, Zulkas developed a friendship online with Farzana, who became a ray of hope for him. She helped him change the way he looked at life. She became his motivation, pushing him to focus on his career, apply for jobs, take exams and attend interviews. “We became good friends, and when we told our families that we wish to marry, they consented. We got married in 2019, and we have a daughter. For me, it’s a complete integrated family now.”
Better days followed. Zulkas received a call from GVM’s GGPR College of Commerce and Economics at Farmagudi, where he had earlier attended an interview. He was selected and joined on 18 February 2019 as MTS staff. The man who had once lost all hope was able to rebuild his life with family support. He now lives in Bicholim and continues to work at GVM’s College.
Zulkas still has big dreams. Due to financial issues and family problems, he couldn’t pursue higher studies when he was younger. After completing SSC, ITI, and a diploma in computer applications, he started working. Before the accident, he had taken his HSSC exams after a long gap. Now, he plans to complete his degree. For people like Zulkas, it’s never too late. Being a learner at heart, he wants to keep upgrading his knowledge.
“I have seen life and death very closely. I underwent struggles, experienced rejections and dejections, and also acceptances. I am sorted now. I will work towards keeping my family happy. They keep me motivated. Whenever I get free time, I engage myself in learning new things like computer application, Photoshop, Coral Draw and video editing. Many things have settled, except the physical discomfort. But I do not have any grudges for the past. I only carry hope and optimism to take up the journey forward,” says Zulkas. His only request to society is to be inclusive and treat persons with disabilities equally.
