Make India more accessible for the differently abled

India made its first appearance in the Paralympics in 1968. These 19 medals are a massive improvement over all its previous Olympic outings. One hopes India’s Paralympians are accorded respect and given awards by the government, like our ‘abled’ Olympians got recently, after their return from Tokyo

Make India more accessible for the differently abled

This picture has been used for representational purpose

It is a story one has heard manifold times but is still uplifting to read it again. This is India’s Paralympics story, where the Indian contingent finished their campaign at the Tokyo event with 19 medals—five gold, eight silver and six bronze.

This edit space has often highlighted how we need to factor in the differently abled into our lives much more. From public infrastructure that has to be designed for these people, too, to residential societies, private offices, homes… every aspect of our life needs to be tweaked in such a way that the differently abled find this country gives them as much access and opportunities that it gives others. It must be a much more level playing field.

Today, when our leaders speak to these young achievers, one can hope that they really listen to their problems, their disadvantages and drawbacks. These champions are a symbol of ability over disability. Yet, the world must not be so tough for them, India has to count them in on every aspect, in the workforce, at the election booths and in the government too.

This can be the country’s big moment, not just one that spurs on more sporting complexes and facilities to improve tallies on the Olympic platform, but one that is a real gamechanger (pun intended) for the differently abled and the physically disadvantaged. While we revel in their glory, take pride in reruns of the Tricolour flying high at Tokyo, work also on giving these people a real voice and presence everywhere.

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