Bandipora : The 8th episode of “Nun Chai Talks” was organised Tuesday by District Administration Bandipora at Mini Secretariat Bandipora, featuring an inspiring interaction with Dr Owais Farooq, who shared his personal journey, experiences in education and valuable insights on overcoming challenges, building confidence and creating opportunities for specially-abled persons.
During the interaction, Dr Owais spoke about his educational journey in Delhi and his association with the University of Delhi. He also shared his experience of working as an Assistant Professor for several years and his continued engagement with schools and colleges, where he had been working towards creating awareness and contributing to the development of students.
The session was attended by several specially-abled participants, who actively shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations. They interacted with Dr Owais Farooq on issues related to education, accessibility, mobility, assistive technologies and opportunities for personal and professional growth, while highlighting the importance of greater inclusion, support and equal opportunities for specially-abled persons in society.
Reflecting on his early years, Dr Owais recalled his schooling at Garoora, Bandipora, and highlighted the important role played by parents in supporting children and helping them navigate challenges. He said that every big dream came with its share of difficulties and obstacles, and emphasised that mental strength helped individuals regain confidence and move forward in life.
Sharing his personal experiences, he said that after moving out of his hometown, he started using Braille and actively participated in competitions. He said that writing was his hobby and that he found solace in it, while reading remained an important tool for learning and education continued to be a great asset throughout life.
Dr Owais also highlighted the importance of mobility improvement courses for specially-abled persons, besides stressing the crucial role of digital devices and assistive software applications in enabling specially-abled persons to learn, communicate and participate more effectively in education and society.
He emphasised the need for special educators in schools, observing that the right guidance at the right time could make a significant difference in a student’s life. He encouraged the students to remain focused, not lose hope and continuously work towards developing their abilities.
Interacting with the students, Dr Owais encouraged them to develop at least one skill that made them unique and urged them to identify their strengths and build upon them. He also assured the students of his continued support and encouraged them to approach him whenever they needed guidance or assistance.
The session provided the participants with an opportunity to draw inspiration from Dr Owais’s journey and gain insights into the importance of perseverance, education, skill development and self-confidence in achieving their aspirations.
