Absence of inclusive infrastructure is deplorable

Virali Modi and her family at the marriage registrar’s office in Khar on Monday

A young wheelchair-bound woman had to be carried up two flights of stairs with the help of her fiancé and friends to tie the knot at the marriage registrar's office in Khar recently. After the union was solemnised, the newlywed took to social media.

The bride said there was no lift at the Registrar's Office at Khar. She said the officials refused to come to the ground floor for signatures and she had to be carried up two flights of stairs to get married.

She added that the stairs were extremely steep and the railings were loose and rusty. She asked quite rightly, what happened to the Accessible India Campaign?
Our report states that after these messages, she was told that the registrar would have come home with a portable fingerprint scanner, but at a much higher cost. Which means they could easily have come down the stairs to help her out.

All this seems so disheartening for a country which claims to be marching ahead on so many fronts. What is the use of tom-tomming all our international achievements and our stature globally, where we are found wanting in such basic, on-the-ground infra.

Surely, the registrar could have had a provision, one desk and scanner at ground level, if the office does not have a wheelchair-accessible lift? There must be enough vision and thought given to the possibility that somebody may come in, who may be unable to access the stairs.

When such incidents are highlighted in the financial capital of the country, its most progressive city, then words like inclusive and accessible have little meaning other than hollow, feel-good phrases.

This is also an affront to a physically challenged person's dignity and self-esteem. This can be addressed and rectified quickly. We hope there is intent followed by action.