In India, one primary school teacher loves his work and students so much that he wades through dirty water that reaches up to his neck each day for his commute.

Teachers typically don’t go into their line of work for the money, but instead want to inspire the next generation. In India, one primary school teacher loves his work and students so much that he wades through dirty water that reaches up to his neck each day for his commute.

A 40-year-old parent of four, Abdul Mallik has been teaching for 20 years at a school more than 7 miles away. He said, “If I go by bus, it takes me three hours…but swimming through the river is easier, faster and I reach school on time.”

Every morning, he spends 15 minutes making his way across the river, with a rubber tube around his chest and holding his bagged clothes, lunch, and shoes up high in one hand. After changing into dry clothes, he hikes uphill for 10 minutes to the school.

Besides the regular curriculum, Mallik also teaches his students to swim and, after witnessing the condition of the river “swirling with filth,’ hopes that they will see the importance of taking care of our environment.

Showing appreciation with handwritten notes, Mallik’s students are equally inspired by him. One 7-year-old said he wants to be just “Like Mallik Master.”