INDIA CARES FOR YOU TOO

Till recently, the people at large rarely cared for the differently challenged lot in our society. As a matter of fact, particularly in the Indian sub-continent, physical disability was supposed to be a big source of laughter and cutting jokes. Any such sufferer was not only ignored, looked down upon but also laughed at. The society never realized that this lot, despite some physical deficiency was capable of standing on their own feet and lead the life like any other proud citizen.

All these noble ideas look utopian when such individuals have to depend on others for visiting a public place. Of late, Particularly in the Wes, there has been a great debate over this handicap of a section of people. They have arguably forwarded their logic that ignoring this lot militated against the democratic norms. So long such people found it impossible to visit the public places, they will not be the beneficiaries of an open society.

In this backdrop, there is today a trend to make public places accessible to all. You might have seen ramps in the Dilli Haat facilitating the lames to visit the market in their wheel-chair. Similar facilities are being demanded in parks, museums, cinema halls and other such places in the towns. Today when everyone is so much time minded, he will not be able to spare even a few moments for a crippled individual. If public places are made accessible to all, such people will definitely find their life comfortable.

Ramps are helpful to them who cannot move. But what about the speech and audibility specially challenged persons? The Brail script has helped the blind so much so that they get academic education like other students. But here is problem for the ones who can neither speak nor hear. For them, the sign language is a good solution with which the victims can learn. However, for important national programmes, there is no such arrangement. They can see the visuals but cannot hear the speech. We have learnt that the demand of this section is being seriously thought over. Perhaps on the coming Republic Day, there will be provision for sign language to cover the function at the Rajpath. It will be a clear manifestation of India really caring for  its all  citizens.