UPSC topper Ira Singhal is the inspirational story of the
moment. And it is indeed a story of grit and determination, a story that speaks
of an exceptionally strong person who refused to be treated like a second class
citizen. If that is not inspiring, then what is? More power to her!
Her story has impressed so many and it is great that someone
like her has stood out to put focus on the gross injustices faced by people
living with disabilities in this country.
Her story has impressed so many and it is great that someone
like her has stood out to put focus on the gross injustices faced by people
living with disabilities in this country.
But once the flavour of the moment changes and all the
gushing and rounds of interviews by earnest reporters fade away, will it have
changed anything for the country’s disabled population?
Well, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disability, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is now assuring that
steps will be taken to address the problems as highlighted by the Ira story. We
will just have to wait and see, won’t we?
But the other side of this is the question of whether the disabled have
to be outstanding, like Ira Singhal, in order to be noticed. Do they have to be
extraordinary in order for their issues to be given any attention?
The disability movement has certainly gained more visibility
in recent times, but India
still has a long way to go before its disabled population can feel that they
too are full and equal citizens of the country.
The UPSC topper’s story has also clearly impressed and
inspired many young Nagas. A post about her achievement in a Facebook group got
hundreds of acknowledgement and comments of admiration and respect. And why
not? She’s a worthy role model for one and all, whether disabled or
non-disabled.
But I can’t help but wish that our people would take as much
interest and spare some thought for the daily struggles and survival by sheer
determination happening in their own backyard. Not to take anything away from
this young woman’s remarkable courage and accomplishment, but it is rather
ironic that so many fellow Nagas are so touched by the story of some
unknown person far away even as they remain quite indifferent to the injustices
faced by the disabled in their own neighbourhood.
Lately, I have been posting disability issues concerning
Nagaland in Naga specific groups on Facebook hoping to kindle some interest and
discussion which can create more awareness about the completely hostile conditions that the disabled survive in, both in terms of the physical
environment and the disabling negative attitudes. Sadly, the topic has been
hard pressed to get even a dozen readers at times, let alone anyone interested
enough to initiate any conversation on the matter.
There are many Iras languishing in all corners of the State
unable to explore their abilities and potential because of the complete lack of
support from the government as well as the society at large. At least the Ira
in New Delhi
was fortunate enough to have parents who backed her right from childhood to
where she is now. They stood unflinching by her as she fought for her rights. Hats off to them! But
the majority don’t have that kind of backup or support of any kind, here in
Nagaland or elsewhere in the country.
Moreover, most disabled people are conditioned to think of
themselves as unfortunate and useless because of the negative attitudes that
surround them. They grow up with everyone treating them as unable that they don’t
know any better and they remain quite unaware of their rights.
I’ve often heard people say that it is the responsibility of
the government to do the needful for the disabled population. Yes, of course,
the duty of the government is clear and there’s also no question that our
government, past and present, has miserably failed the disabled population of
our State. But the fact of government responsibility does not weaken the
responsibility of society in general, or of individuals, or of organisations.
Just look around you. There are so many people with
disabilities who are unable to do anything because of the lack of opportunities
and lack of support from the people around them. They have the ability to do
and even excel like Ira Singhal…..they too have dreams they’d love to pursue,
if only they are given the opportunity.
But look around you again. Our society caters only to so-called
‘normal’ people – people whose limbs and sensory faculties are working
‘normally’.
Only a small percentage of children with disabilities in our
State go to school and there’s no certainty that they will continue their
education beyond the primary level given the massive barriers they encounter
within and outside the school system. Majority of adults born with disabilities
are illiterate because they never got the chance to get even basic education.
This is why I wish that our people would show more interest
in what’s going on in their own backyard. I don’t grudge the attention given to
anyone, but I do wish that the desperate lives of the disabled in our State would
also attract some attention.
A little interest and support from you could transform so
many lives. And I’m not talking about support in terms of charity or pity handouts.
It’s about small actions that promote inclusiveness and acceptance….like
ensuring that disabled persons in your locality are included in community
activities and enabling their participation with few accessibility features in
public places, mobilising local education committees and other authorities to
make the schools in your neighbourhood accessible and encouraging families to
send their children with disabilities to school….and so on. It is possible for
anyone to take action such as these.
If only some people could muster enough interest to make
such little efforts in their own neighbourhoods, imagine the change that could
sweep across the State.
I wish…….