Sir: This is apropos of the news item ‘Substitutes for physically challenged’ (March 18). The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education allowed extra 40 minutes to a physically challenged student of Taimergara, Qadir Muhammad, who is determined to beat all odds and has appeared in examinations by solving the paper with his toes, as he has no fingers on his hands. The BISE chairman visited the hall after the news was reported by a local TV channel. He met the student and ordered the staff to provide 40 additional minutes to the young man to solve his paper. Although the action of Professor Mohammad Ayaz, chairman of the BISE, for having taken notice and visiting the student to offer him assistance is praiseworthy, we must understand that it is extremely painful and tiring for anyone to write with toes and, therefore, allocating just 40 more minutes is definitely not adequate. I request the authorities to allow such individuals at least two additional hours or even better, examination boards should employ substitutes for handicapped students. These substitutes or assistants can do the writing for students who cannot use hands. They can work on an on-call basis, if not employed on a regular basis. Qadir Muhammad is a self-respecting individual who has taught himself to use his toes to write as he is keen to fulfil his dream of becoming an engineer. He is not the only one who is facing this hardship. There are many others like him. This arrangement of substitutes can benefit many intelligent but physically challenged students. Hats off to this young man from a remote Pakistani village, his spirit is amazing. He is determined to achieve despite his physical limitations. Youths like Qadir Muhammad are the real face of Pakistan. MUNAZZA MUQUIM Karachi