Teacher Swims Through A River Every Day To Get To His Students

September 7, 2013

At 9 am on a weekday, Abdul Mallik is busy wading through neck-high water, a tyre-tube around his waist, his tiffin box and shoes held in one hand above the muddy river.  

It's hardly the average morning commute, but for this 40-year-old teacher, it's all in a day's work.

This is what it takes Mr. Mallik to get to the primary school where he has been employed for 20 years in a village in the Malappuram district of Kerala, South India.

"If I go by bus, it takes me three hours to cover the 12-kilometre distance, but swimming through the river is easier, faster and I reach school on time," he says, after he emerges from the river 15 minutes later. 

He changes into a dry set of clothes on the river bank, and then treks uphill for 10 minutes before he reaches school.

An average salary for government teachers like him is around 25,000 Rupees (roughly $19,000 US Dollars).

The compensation, he says, lies elsewhere.

As he arrives at his classroom, a bunch of excited students surround him with their offerings of cards and letters for Teacher's Day.

 A staunch environmentalist, he often takes his students swimming, hoping the field trip will impress upon them the need to save the river, swirling with filth, that he navigates every day.

A seven-year old student, Jahangir, smiles shyly when asked what he wants to be when he grows up. "Like Mallik Master," he says.


Source: NDTV.com


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesOhio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat

feel good storiesWhy Hope Is The Key To A Meaningful Life, Backed By New Research

feel good storiesThese Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless

feel good storiesJudge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams

feel good videoEvery Day, This Golden Retriever Leaps Into The Pig Pen To Play With The Piglets

feel good videoDog Saves His Best Friend's Life In Incredible Moment Caught On Video

feel good videoWoman Tries To Help Bird, Then This Happened... And We Can't Stop Laughing

feel good videoNewborn Baby Has Sweet Conversation With Dad While Lying On Mom’s Face

feel good videoSassy Pig Throws Hilarious Tantrum, Slams Door And Gives Mom Silent Treatment

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me