Kozhikode: A bet was made at the Vloggers meet held in Malappuram the other day. Ummer Farooq from Lakshadweep took a lighthearted jibe at the Vloggers who were decked up from head to toe by saying, “In a short while, experts from various fields including doctors will gather here. No matter how good you all look, all eyes will be on me.”

Farooq’s prediction came true as everyone who came noticed him and also got acquainted with him. He talks about the painful experiences he had because of the peculiarities of his face with a smile. From wondering what kind of a life he would have, Farooq went on to win the central government’s Helen Keller award and also became the icon of the Lok Sabha elections in Lakshadweep to inspire people to vote.

40-year-old Farooq is the fifth son of Kitavin and Surabhi, who live on the Anthroth island in Lakshadweep. He was born with a rare disease called leontiasis ossea, an overgrowth of facial and cranial bones. When he was just three years old, Farooq’s mother passed away. He began his schooling at the age of nine. Due to the teasing from peers, Farooq could not concentrate on his studies and often fell behind.

He came to Kozhikode to study at the Markaz. Even though there was some teasing and mocking, he got a few teachers and friends who supported him. He once met Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar who said to him, “A time will come when you will laugh and those who hurt you will cry.” These words gave Farooq strength to move forward.

After completing M.Com from PSMO college, he became a librarian in 2010 at a senior secondary school in Kavaratti. He began travelling to many places as a motivational speaker. He instituted the Lakshadweep Differently-abled association in 2011 and a school named the centre for care and rehabilitation also started. 

He met and married Ramisa Ishri, a special educator and has a five-and-a-half year old daughter Lamia.