MFC seeks finger prints from handless Zakeer

Scholarship stuck in ridiculous norms for amputees

• 22-yr-old Zakeer Pasha made to run pillar to post for scholarship
• Zakeer, with no upper arms, does household works and writing with legs efficiently
• He approached Minority Finance Corporation seeking funds for scholarship
• However, the mandatory norm of releasing funds only after finger print scanning has put on hold the scholarship amount

Hyderabad: The government norms of seeking ‘finger print’ for identification purposes, deprived a 22-year ‘congenital amputee’ (with no upper limbs) of scholarship, who in spite of all odds is continuing his education in Post Graduation.

The youngster with no hands, engages legs to function from writing to all household chores is running pillar to post for the last 2 years to receive the scholarship meant for handicapped.

Despite being physically challenged, Zakeer Pasha continues to stride for receiving the government support in pursuance of his education. For the past 2 years, he has been knocking on the doors of Minority Finance Corporation at Haj House with the hope of receiving some financial assistance.

A native of Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district, he regularly travels down south travelling 300 kms with hope to pursue further studies. Coming from a poor family, he is currently pursuing his Post Graduation from an Open University and has been efficient in writing with the help of one of his legs.

He completed his SSC with 65 per cent and Intermediate with 70 per cent and his disability did not stop him from continuing his education. Being the only son and the eldest one amongst four siblings in a family, where the father is an auto driver, he helps his father to ensure both ends meet.

“If the government supports me in education I can stand on my own feet. I came to know that the Minority Finance Corporation assists in this kind of cases, but despite making my best efforts I failed to achieve the much-needed assistance. The only financial support is Aasara pension of Rs 1,500 per month,” he said.

Zakeer Pasha had applied for the scholarship a couple of years back, but the matter remained pending with the Corporation, as the beneficiary should mark the application with a ‘finger print’.

Since he has no hands and the fingerprint is must for the amount to be sanctioned, the issue remains unresolved with the department officials.

There is no option of taking finger print of toe of the leg and officials had rejected his application citing mandatory finger print.

“When the Aadhar card can be made with the help of retina scan of eye, why not similar provision for getting the scholarship?” he questions.