Very good Avinash. On 1/13/16, avinash shahi <shahi88avin...@gmail.com> wrote: > Its pasted below > > Deifying people with disabilities a cruel joke > A large number of disabled people are striving for the bare minimum, > and they are still “divyang” for the Prime Minister, is it not > ironical? Merely a change in nomenclature for addressing disabled > people is no substitute for empowering disabled persons > > > India is a signatory to the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with > Disabilities > In India, the people with disabilities are addressed by many > denominations interchangeably. Since the mid-1980s, patronising terms > such as “differently abled” and “specially abled” have been quite > common in public parlance. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in > his last Mann ki Baat, broadcast on December 27, 2015, appealed to > the public to adopt the use of the term “divyang” (divine body) to > address persons with disabilities. This well-intentioned appeal by > the Prime Minister, through the state-run All India Radio, to call > people with disabilities as “divyang” (divine bodies) could do great > damage to their dignity and identity. > People with disabilities have long been enduring the pain of not > being addressed as normal human beings as they think themselves to be. > Moreover, the term “divyang” is antithetical to the definition of > disability envisaged under the United Nations Convention on the Rights > of Persons with Disabilities, to which India is a signatory. > The UNCRPD stipulates that disability occurs due to extraneous > factors such as physical, psychological and environmental barriers. > The Indian Government which ratified the treaty, is thus duty-bound > not to contravene the provisions of the UN treaty in the domestic > legislation and the public policy on disability. Persons with > disabilities have long been demanding from the State that they should > neither be pilloried as evil mortals nor be deified. They are as > human, with distinct physiological and psychological attributes, as > other non-disabled individuals in society. > However, too much obsession with the notion of “abelism” in the > public sphere has dashed the dream of the people with disabilities > from becoming equal citizens on a par with others. They are often > pitied and treated with charity. They are not respected as people > having Constitutional rights. The woes of the People with Disabilities > related to accessibility, education and employment are paid tangential > attention. The Central Government allocates meagre budgetary support > for their empowerment. For instance, in the last Budget of 2014-15, > presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely, it was paltry Rs 5,000 > crore. Moreover, the state governments' indifference towards people > with disabilities is more shocking. > Despite disability being one of the subjects in the state list under > the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, several states are yet to > formulate a comprehensive policy on disability issues. The demand for > bringing disability in the concurrent list is yet to be met. As a > result, the large number of people with disabilities residing in the > rural areas are compelled to live in inescapable penury. However, the > governments at the Centre and in the states remain negligent about > their pressing needs.The daily ordeal of the persons with disabilities > at the grassroot reveal their vulnerabilities which requires an urgent > attention from the government. > Therefore, amidst harsh poverty faced by the disabled, extolling > them as “divyang” is not less than a covert ploy to shield their > resilient character and struggle as human beings. > Undoubtedly, people with disabilities face daunting hurdles and > create innovative ways to overcome them. However, their struggle to > deal with the obstacles should not be glorified. People with > disabilities should not be construed as passive subjects. They are > agents of their own destiny. It is thus imperative for the Government > to take them on board before formalising any new terminology in the > disability legislation. > The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) > should seek responses from the disability sector on the term “divyang” > suggested by the Prime Minister. The view of the Prime Minister > reflects the mindset of a large section in the Indian society who are > judgmental about the capabilities of the people with disabilities. > Instances abound, such preconceived notions held by the political > class and the Indian bureaucracy have dealt irreparable damage to the > disabled people. Like any other non-disabled person, disabled people > want to earn respect by their deeds and live with dignity. > Therefore, instead of patronising and glorifying them, the government > at the Centre and in the states need to create a conducive climate in > which they get a level playing field, at par with others. Until the > government does not undertake serious efforts to do away with the > stigma attached with disability, the hardships of the disabled would > continue to be accentuated. Merely a change in the nomenclature for > addressing the disabled people is inadequate. > A much deeper engagement with the plight of the disabled people is > needed to bring about substantive transformation in their lives. A > large number of disabled people are striving for the bare minimum, and > they are still “divyang” for the Prime Minister. It's a cruel joke > with their lives. “What's in a name”, they wonder. > The writer > On 1/13/16, madhu <madhu.singha...@gmail.com> wrote: >> I will be happy if you can paste the article. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf >> Of avinash shahi >> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 12:26 PM >> To: emailtotha...@gmail.com; AccessIndia: a list for discussing >> accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. >> Subject: Re: [AI] My article in the Tribune today: Deifying people with >> disabilities a cruel joke >> >> Many thanks all for your appreciation and insightful comments. It >> would be nice if the editors of Braille magazines in the country >> reproduce this in their respective upcoming editions. Let the write-up >> travel where Internet is yet to penetrate. >> Thanks >> >> On 1/12/16, Mr Abhishek Thakur <emailtotha...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> Excellent critique Abinash. >>> Your arguments were really good. >>> Looking forward to read more from you in future >>> Regards >>> >>> >>> On 1/12/16, Misbah <jnu.mis...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> It is timely and very well argued peace. Congrats avinash >>>> >>>> On 1/12/16, Surya Prakash <spsharma.gc...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> Hello, >>>>> very well written article Avinash! keep it up.up. >>>>> >>>>> Sent with AquaMail for Android >>>>> http://www.aqua-mail.com >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On January 11, 2016 12:14:50 PM avinash shahi >>>>> <shahi88avin...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Dear Access Indians, >>>>>> I'm glad to share my second piece within a month and first in 2016 >>>>>> published in another major English Daily The Tribune today. Please >>>>>> read, comment and if you agree with the arguments share widely in your >>>>>> network. I expect the Prime Minister will find time and read this >>>>>> soon. >>>>>> >> http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/deifying-people-with-disabilities-a >> -cruel-joke/181902.html >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Avinash Shahi >>>>>> Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU >>>>>> >>>>>> Celebrating Louis Braill birthday, Jan. 4th. >>>>>> >>>>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing >>>>>> accessibility >>>>>> of >>>>>> >>>>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>>>> >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.org.in >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Search for old postings at: >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>>>> >>>>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>>>> please visit the list home page at >>>>>> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Disclaimer: >>>>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>>>> of >>>>>> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>>>> veracity; >>>>>> >>>>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>>>> mails >>>>>> >>>>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>>>> of >>>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>>> >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.org.in >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Search for old postings at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>>> >>>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>>> please >>>>> visit the list home page at >>>>> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Disclaimer: >>>>> 1. 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AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>>> mails >>>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> with regards >>>> Misbah >>>> >>>> >>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>>> of >>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>> >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Search for old postings at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>> >>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>> please >>>> visit the list home page at >>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Disclaimer: >>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >>>> the >>>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>>> >>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>> mails >>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Abhishek Thakur >>> Research scholar >>> Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai India >>> Contact number: 7303438391 >>> >>> >>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>> of >>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>> >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Search for old postings at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >>> visit the list home page at >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Disclaimer: >>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>> >>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent through this mailing list.. >>> >> >> >> -- >> Avinash Shahi >> Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > -- > Avinash Shahi > Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. >
-- Naresh Kumar Assistant Professor Department of History Kamala Nehru College (University of Delhi) Mobile: +919999308530 Residence: A5, Staff quarters, Kamala Nehru College, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi-110049. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
