Binod Kumar Singh writes his examination paper at Gaya College. Picture by Suman

Binod Kumar Singh and Mobin-ur-Rab have fought the challenges of life and taken the absence of their hands sportingly. However, they are disheartened that the state government has not provided much to help them.

Both Mobin and Binod have mastered the art of writing with their foot. While Mobin has been awarded a PhD by Magadh University for his research — Prachin Bharatiya Esthaniya Evam Nigamon Dwara Prachlit Sikkon Ka Aitihasik Vishleshan (Historical analysis of coins in ancient India) in 2002 — Binod has appeared for his third year degree course examination in general studies at the Gaya College centre recently.

Binod is also a very good swimmer and he has participated in several international swimming competitions.

A resident of Barasikwara village in Siwan district, Binod has taken admission in the three-year degree general course at Lalu Mandal College, Gaya, affiliated to Magadh University.

Binod told The Telegraph: “I completed Intermediate from West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education in 2000 securing 52 per cent marks and matriculation from West Bengal Board of Secondary Education in 1997 with 56 per cent aggregate marks.”

Binod’s father Ramajee Singh is a science teacher at Garulia Shree Gauri Shankar Jute Mill India School at Shyamnagar in Bengal and his mother Duja Devi is a housewife. His younger brother Manoj Kumar Singh is a second year degree student at Lalu Mandal College. Binod got married to Bina Devi Singh of Chandannagar under Hooghly district in Bengal and they have a year-old son, Priyanshu Singh.

Binod said he had participated in several national and international swimming competitions, including the Asian Pacific Games in Malaysia in December 2006, World Amputee Sport Games 2007 in Taiwan, German Open Swimming Championship in 2008, Arafura Games 2009 in Australia and the swimming competition in The Netherlands in 2010. In 2007, the state government awarded him with Khel Samman for his performance in swimming competitions.

However, even after getting a PhD and being awarded with a gold medal at the convocation of Magadh University held in December last year, Mobin still does not have a permanent job. At present, he is working as a lecturer of ancient history at SN Sinha College Tekari, in Gaya district on an ad hoc basis. A disappointed Mobin told The Telegraph: “I am still a bachelor because I do not have a permanent source of income.”

Before joining SN Sinha College as lecturer, Mobin worked as a stamp vendor at the Gaya land registration office. Former Gaya district magistrate Amrit Lal Meena had issued a license in his name in 1999. He also worked on ad hoc basis at Gaya College between 1999 and 2001 but was removed in the mop-up operation after the infamous Shikha Gupta degree sandal at Magadh University.

Mobin had also cleared preliminary test and the main examinations of the 45th Bihar Public Service Commission but was disqualified in the interview. His request for the post of lecturer in Mirza Ghalib College, Gaya, was also turned down earlier.

Despite these setbacks, Mobin refuses to give up. He wants to dedicate his life for the welfare of differently abled people. Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri is his idol.