A visually impaired teacher of Delhi University has expressed his disillusionment at being unable to marry a physically 'normal' woman because of societal constraints. http://www.thestatesman.com/news/delhi/visually-impaired-teacher-seeks-normal-life-partner/169088.html He said marriage between disabled and normal persons is an 'effective' way to incorporate the differently abled into the mainstream and end discrimination. Yogesh Chaurasia, 42, an assistant professor of political science at DU's Maitreyi College is still unmarried as he has turned down several proposals of marrying differently abled girls in his quest to get a physically normal life partner. "If I marry, I will marry a normal girl," he stressed. Chaurasia said society acts with an 'orthodoxical' and 'prejudiced' mindset as it easily gives sanction to matrimonial ties between two normal persons but looks down upon marriage of a normal person with a disabled one.
"I had vehemently refused to accept several proposals of marriage with physically disabled or visually impaired girls. I turned down many such proposals in the past and I am really annoyed at and bewildered by those who approach me with such proposals," said Yogesh. He said he has no reservations in marrying a physically disabled girl but wants to set an example that physical disability cannot be the cause of 'rejection' and 'neglect' of a person. He said there is no support from his family members either who also cannot think 'out of box', "Even my parents are of the view that I should marry a disabled girl, but it's my personal view that marriages between differently abled and normal persons will help in bringing Divyangs into mainstream of society," said Chaurasia. "Physically disabled persons are also human beings and have desires similar to those of normal persons. Sometimes I have a strong urge to have a life partner but I have diverted all my energy into academics," said Yogesh. He said many 'normal' men pretend to be blind only to have girls sympathising with them. "Many normal persons pretend to be blind in metros , buses and public places and only look for opportunity to inappropriately touch or feel young girls who come to their aid out of sympathy, this has maligned the image of blind people and girls now look at all blind persons suspiciously”, he said. Sympathy, no love "Most people help us out of sympathy but there is no element of love in it. Sympathy cannot be misunderstood for love," said the professor. "By sympathising with us you make us feel that as if we are some helpless creatures but we want to tell that we are also human beings who are desirous of love and not sympathy," said Yogesh. Another teacher said society should shun its prejudices and ould encourage those who want to marry 'out of box'. "In my view marriage between a disabled and normal person should be encouraged, as it will help in bringing them into mainstream and increase their acceptability," said DU teacher. -- 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..
