Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

At a time when society is grappling with the menace of drug addiction, a teenager from the Beerwah area of Budgam district in central Kashmir is using his adversity to speak against the use of drugs.

Born with one leg, Zahid Manzoor, who is writing his Class X examination conducted by the J&K Board of School Education, has already made a name as a fighter against drugs through his cycling, dancing and martial arts campaigns.

His relentless efforts over the past decade across Kashmir have made him an ambassador of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, a national anti-drug campaign.

Zahid Manzoor speaking up against drugs through his stage show

“When I was in (Primary) school, other children stayed away from me”, Zahid Manzoor, a student at the Government High School, Meeripora in Beerwah, told Awaz-The Voice.

Despite his physical limitations, Zahid, 16, has been interested in activities since his early childhood. He always believed that if others could do normal activities, why would he not be able to do the same?

His determination made others recognise him and offer him facilities and opportunities.

Born in a family of Shawlbafs (traditional shawl weavers) in Beerwah, the heart of Kashmir’s most prestigious and intricate handloom traditions, Zahid’s parents were worried about his physical condition.

Zahid Manzoor in a stage play against drug addiction

While many villagers suggested that his parents accept their son’s condition and do nothing about it, Zahid’s grandfather was keen on seeking help and focusing on his development.

Fearing them, he reached home and reported the incident to his teacher. That day he realised, diability was not having a limb; "disability is taking drugs”.

So far, he has attended more than a hundred school assemblies where he is invited to speak about the hazards of drugs. He make youth realise that if he could do so many things with a physical disability, others had no reason not to do the same and not be depebndent on drugs.

Zahid Manzoor on stage

While Zahid sensitises youth about the dangers of drug addiction, he, along with his teacher, Mohammd Yusuf, has made a 48-minute film to create awareness and highlight the harmful consequences of drug addiction.

Their film, made two years ago, has since become a part of a campaign against drugs. It’s being screened in schools across the valley as an educational initiative to inform and encourage students to stay away from drug addiction.

His talent was spotted at the age of five. It was when Zahid accompanied his grandfather to an event where prosthetic and other aids were being distributed to the specially-abled children at Middle School, Narabal in 2014. These materials included wheelchairs, Rollators, tricycles, hearing aids, MSIED (Multi-Sensory Inclusive Education or Development) kits, KAFOs and AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) as part of the Government’s initiative.

The teacher in charge, Mohammad Yusuf Parray, spotted the young boy, who looked excited and was proactively trying to use the aid. He was also seen as a quick and keen learner.

“He was to be provided with a Rollatot. While he laid his hand on one, he immediately rode it with confidence”, Zahid’s trainer, Mohammad Yusuf Parray, said, adding that he immediately started racing with the aid on the occasion.

“He was interested in it and needed guidance”, which was conveyed to his grandfather, who was happy about Zahid’s talent on the occasion, Mohammad Yusuf Parray said

Zahid Manzoor on stage

He added that he focused on training him on Rollator and other activities like cycling (bicycle), which he learnt in a minimum time. The little boy was also trained in bicycling, martial arts, and flying kicks, which he learnt with tremendous willpower.

The turning point came in 2017, when he was recognised among the talented disabled students under Samagra Shiksha, leading to his participation in various district and state-level competitions. He has been participating in the Anjali International Children and Youth Festival in Odisha every year since 2017.

Next month, he is scheduled to attend the meet where participants from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, are participating.

He has also been attending the State-level World Disability Day, also known as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on December 3, being held at Jammu.

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Among other things, Zahid also got a chance to be trained by a Bollywood dancer. “Now he is a good dancer and trains others himself, becoming a master dancer, while he is continuing with his studies”, says Mohammad Yusuf Parray.