For 19-year-old Irfan from Bandipora’s Sonawari village, success means optimism and family support, not eyesight.

Despite being visually impaired from childhood, Irfan scored 91 per cent marks in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class XII exams’ results declared yesterday.

“I am very happy to achieve this feat despite all the challenges,” says Irfan who is now planning to move to Delhi University to pursue honours course in political science.

“From the beginning, I had a target that I have to secure more than 90 per cent marks so as to get admission to Delhi University. Now I am happy that I will continue with my studies,” adds Irfan whose father is a casual labourer.

Irfan has scored 455 out of 500, just 42 marks short of the all-India topper Sukriti Gupta who got 497 marks. Despite visual limitation and financial difficulties, Irfan managed a good score through sheer hard work and determination. “I worked hard despite visual limitation. We have to work double than the normal students. Society has a perception that blind can’t study, they cannot do anything but I want to break that thinking,” says Irfan, who gives all credit of his success to his father.

“Through my success, I want to stand on my feet and live a life with respect. I don’t think eyesight is all you need to live, you just need a positive attitude in any situation,” says Irfan.

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