Javed Ahmed Tak
By Tariq Bashir*
Wheelchair-Bound Javed Turns Pain into Purpose
Anantnag: Kashmir is again bleeding after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. Because of the cold-blooded killing of innocent tourists here, Anantnag district, of which Pahalgam is a part, is once again in the midst of global attention for all the wrong reasons.
The scourge of terror clings to Kashmir’s pristine valleys, including Anantnag. Yet, amid the ruins, its people, such as Javed Ahmed Tak, weave extraordinary tales of tenacity.
In the early 1990s, the verdant valley, cradling the picturesque and historically rich town of Bijbehara in Anantnag, was gripped by a maelstrom of violence and terrorism. The turbulent decade brought armed conflict, chaos, and uncertainty, stifling education, business, and daily life. Schools stood shuttered, markets faltered, and fear permeated the air as the region’s social fabric unravelled.
Amid this tempest, Javed, born to Habibullah Tak and Fatima Begum, emerged as a luminous figure of resilience. The youngest child of the family, Javed, was a healthy, smart, and lively boy, deeply cherished by all. His childhood brimmed with joy, playfulness, and dreams—foremost among them, the ambition to become a doctor. Educated at one of Bijbehara’s leading institutions, he pursued his medical aspirations with fervour, making several attempts to secure admission to medical college. Though he did not succeed, destiny had a greater plan in store.
Enrolled at the Government Degree College for Boys in Anantnag, Javed pursued a Bachelor’s degree in the medical stream, his academic brilliance undimmed by the valley’s unrest. He excelled, completing his first and second years of B.Sc. with outstanding results. But in his final year, tragedy struck with merciless force.
Rising Above Kashmir’s Dark Days
One fateful night, while visiting his uncle’s home, unknown gunmen barged in. A confrontation ensued, and one assailant, suspecting Javed as a threat, deliberately shot him. The bullet left him bleeding on the floor. Rushed to a local hospital and then referred to the Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Javed hovered on the brink of death due to massive blood loss.
Following critical surgery, doctors delivered a devastating blow: his spinal cord was severely damaged, leaving him paralysed from the waist down, with slim chances of long-term survival. The vibrant, athletic young man in his mid-twenties, once brimming with life and dreams, now faced an uncertain and painful future.
Paralysed but Unbroken: Javed’s Inspiring Fight
Javed remained hospitalised for six months, enduring multiple surgeries and immense physical and emotional pain. “I had lost all hope of survival,” he recalled. Returning home, confined to his room and suffering from painful bedsores, he spent a full year in isolation, battling despair and depression.
Yet, amidst the darkness, a ray of hope emerged. On a cold morning, while lost in deep thought, Javed heard the joyful shouts of children playing nearby. Moved by their voices, he asked his mother to invite them into his room. Engaging with the children brought unexpected comfort. He began offering them free tutoring, and what started as a simple act of kindness soon turned into a life-changing mission. The arrival of the children each day broke his isolation, and the joy of teaching rekindled his passion for education.
From Bullet to Beacon
Encouraged by this newfound purpose, Javed resumed his academic journey after a three-year hiatus, completing his graduation. Despite countless challenges—lack of accessibility, dependence on others for mobility, limited transport options, and housing difficulties—he remained undeterred. In 2004, he realised a long-cherished dream by clearing the postgraduate entrance test in Social Work and securing admission to the University of Kashmir. Recognising his calling in service to others, he pursued a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University.
From 2004 to 2006, Javed emerged as a powerful advocate for persons with disabilities, initiating numerous sensitisation and awareness programs that left a lasting impact on the university community. His presence in the Department of Social Work catalysed a broader movement for disability rights within the University of Kashmir.
Javed actively visited various departments to identify students enrolled under the disability quota. Recognising the importance of unity and collective voice, he brought these students together and laid the foundation of an association dedicated to their welfare.
Forging Disability Rights in Kashmir’s Turmoil
In 2005, the Disabled Students Association was formally established at the university. The primary mission, as envisioned by Javed, was to sensitise both faculty and students about the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities. His tireless efforts focused on improving accessibility, promoting inclusive education, and empowering disabled students through advocacy and support. Thanks to his initiatives, several meaningful changes were introduced: ramps were constructed at key entry points, audiobook facilities were made available at the central library, scholarships were granted to deserving students with disabilities, aids and appliances were distributed, regular awareness programs were held, and access to examination and administrative blocks was facilitated. A few university buildings were also modified to become more disability-friendly.
The association founded by Javed gradually evolved into a powerful voice, not only within the university but across the region, addressing a burning issue: the systemic marginalisation of persons with disabilities. Its ripples extended to influence regional policy, anchoring its efforts in the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act of 1998 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016. Javed’s relentless advocacy secured critical provisions: full implementation of reservation quotas ensured equitable access to education, preferential hostel accommodations eased mobility challenges, soft-format study materials empowered visually impaired students, accessible technology broke down barriers, and clear guidelines for amanuenses in exams upheld academic fairness. The university also waived examination and admission fees for disabled students, and a significant shift in faculty attitudes fostered a culture of inclusion and support.
Championing Rights Amid Conflict’s Shadows
In 2005, Javed further extended his mission by establishing an inclusive school for children with disabilities in his hometown of Bijbehara. The Zeba Aapa School for Inclusive Education began modestly with two visually impaired girls, Saima and Zakiya, supported by Feroz Ahmed (Braille Instructor) and Adil Rashid (Administrator). What started as a humble initiative has since grown into one of the leading institutions in Jammu and Kashmir for children with special needs. Today, it serves over 250 students from across South Kashmir, offering education, support, and empowerment. Under Javed’s dynamic leadership, the school has become a sanctuary, providing not just academic instruction but also emotional and social development.
Beyond education, Javed’s advocacy spans a wide array of marginalised groups, including widows, destitute individuals, the elderly, below-poverty-line families, militancy victims, and other vulnerable sections of society. Despite facing severe mobility challenges, he continues to travel across India to amplify the voices of the disabled and promote their rights at various forums.
From Tragedy to Padma Shri
Today, Javed’s extraordinary contribution has been recognised at both the state and national levels. Javed has received numerous awards and honours from the Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, various Deputy Commissioners, and senior bureaucrats. Notably, he was acknowledged by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his monthly “Mann Ki Baat” radio address in March 2021. In 2020, in a moment of national pride, Javed was conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the President of India for his tireless work in empowering persons with disabilities and uplifting the marginalised sections of society.
Javed Ahmed Tak’s life is a tapestry of resilience and empathy, woven from the threads of a broken body and an unbreakable spirit. From the ashes of a vibrant youth, he has crafted a legacy that glows with hope. His wheelchair, once a chain, now carves paths of possibility, whispering to a wounded valley—and the world beyond—that even in the darkest hours, a single soul can kindle a dawn.
His life is a shining example of what determination, empathy, and relentless dedication can achieve. From the confines of his wheelchair, in a Kashmir scarred by terrorism, he has woven a legacy of courage and inclusion, transforming lives and inspiring countless others to follow in his footsteps. From the ashes of personal tragedy, he has built a legacy of hope, transforming lives and inspiring countless others to create a more inclusive society.
*Tariq Bashir is an Assistant Professor at the Department of History in the Government Degree College, Utrusoo, Anantnag. He is a person with visual impairment.
