CTH Story of Asif Iqbal

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Cross the Hurdles brings you the inspiring story of Mr. Asif Iqbal who has achieved success despite of all the odds that came in the way. Here are the excerpts from our talk with Asif.

• Name: Asif Iqbal
• City: Kolkata,West Bengal
• Date of Birth: November 9th 1976
• Educational Qualification: B.COM, PGDBM
• Other Skills: Computer Proficiency ( MS. Office, Windows XP, Oracle SQL)
• Marital Status: Married
• Employment Status: Senior Consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt Ltd
• Kind of Disability: Visual Impairment

About Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a person who can easily become a role model for many.He has never let his disability come in his way. He has met the former President of India (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam) to discuss technology initiative which would benefit blind/ visually impaired community.He has won the State role model award in the disability community by governor of West Bengal on December 3, 2007 and the National award constituted by President of India for outstanding disabled employee on December 3, 2008. He works with the help of talking software (JAWS) which provides audio output of computer screen. He uses talking software installed on his cell phone

Quick Fire!

Favorite movie(s)
Forest Gump (English movie) Tare Zameen Par (Hindi Movie) Favorite books
Hatchet by (author can't remember) Favorite color
Blue Craziest thing that you have ever done in your life
Climbing up the 14 feet high wall without much support. Most Valuable thing that you have purchased till now
Maruti A star car If you are marooned on an island what 5 things you would like to keep with you
My wife, Audio books, Plate of food, Mp3 player, clothes Favorite food
Continental, Indian such as Biryani Your biggest strength
Never giving up attitude If you take birth again, who would you like to be born as
Sorry, I don't believe in reincarnation The thing(s) that you hate
People who don't value time. The first thing you do right after waking up in the morning
Say to myself; It is going to be a great day Inshallah The last thing you before falling asleep in the night
Take my medicines You prefer sons or daughters
I would prefer daughter Oft-repeated word/sentence by you
Drive your effort to achieve your dream come true."Dream and Drive" If world is going to be destroyed in next 5 minutes. What would you do during this time
Call my parent and say that I love you, Apologize to my wife for any wrong doing. What was your resolution on the new year
To lose weight. The best gift that somebody can offer to you
Audio books The town/country that you want to visit
Europe If you can meet one person of your choice, dead or alive, known or not, who would this be
PM, Manmohan Singh If you could change one thing your past, what would it be
Nothing

Interview of Asif Iqbal by CTH

Did you find any problems while you were doing your studies..I mean did lack of infrastructure in the Indian scenario pose any kind of problems for you?
Yes, many challenges to overcome and hurdles. 2. How do you manage your day to day activities...a brief description...i.e. with somebody's help or you are able to cope up with routine activities yourself? I have my own techniques of sorting and carrying out with my day to day affair, organizing money, shaving, eating, work out, etc. How do your parents feel about your disability?
Don't think they have a choice. Was your marriage an arranged one or was it a love marriage?
Arranged but this question is very personal Do you feel excess love and protection are essential for those with physical challenges?
Absolutely not; don't believe that fake pity makes any better. Do you feel India is a disabled friendly country? What all needs to be done?
Not at all; begin with sensitization Have you ever felt any kind of emotional outbursts or complexes due to your physical status?
Yes, many times What are your hobbies or leisure time activities?
Eat good food, network with people, make friends. How do you react when somebody pities you?
I pity for them. What message you would like to give to the persons suffering from some kind disabilities?
Never give up. Have you ever been discriminated because of your disability?
Yes many times in the past and am sure many time in the future.