Disability, a physical constraint that can limit an individual’s day-to-day activities and hinder their realization of goals. These are not the only limitations that they face but also the discrimination by society. That they face discrimination from families, schools, and employment. Apart from facing discrimination they even face numerous clichés, stereotypes, and myths. Most Indians are deeply rooted in their religion and culture, which isn’t the problem but the myth about begin disabled is linked to the concept of karma that is the result of deeds done in their previous lives. Another contradictory myth is associated is that many connect disability to some “divine ability.” This could be heard when a disabled person does an activity like a normal fully functioning human would do. While failing to appreciate the extra hard work invested by a disabled person in overcoming the physical constraints and learning how to do that task. And other clichés could be seen if a person were to see from a different perception.
To release society from the prejudices Honourable PM started to use the word “Divyang” and got rid of the insensitive word “Viklang.” And the vision of Modi in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, which recently started an initiative under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” for celebrated the 75years of independence. Highlighting India’s rich history, culture. September 25th is the birth anniversary of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj a wing under MoRD presented the Hunarbaaz Awards to 75 divyangs hailing from 15 states, in alliance with SRLMs and Rural Self-employment Training Institutes (RSETI). This mission is an extract from one of the core principles of Pandit Deen Dayal, who said “the rise of the last person.” That giving the right opportunity for Divyangs, and empowering them to scale new heights. This is evident from the Tokyo Paralympics of 2021 where Divyangs won a total of 19 medals creating history in Indian athletic milestones.
Though the Indian government has taken many steps in giving legal rights to disabled people this is totally or to an extreme extent is absent from social practice. Many MNCs don’t hire them as they perceive disabled people might slow down the productive work. Apart from this, they also must win their battles mentally which is result mostly again by the social prejudices. Studies have shown that disabled persons can tend to be more depressive and have other mental health disorders. Along with rampant substance abuse. Attending to their physical needs by giving them skills, devices would not suffice for them to be happy with life and enjoy the fruits. Government should also facilitate providing mental health assistance. Where they respect the individual privacy because it is found that being perceived as that they need someone by their side always, privacy seems to be lost from those who tend to care. The Pandemic of COVID-19 has severely hit them facing a wide variety of issues from rehabilitation, mental support, and the socio-cultural problems that lack in respecting and empathy towards them during tough periods.
Heading on with the vision of making India Atmanirbhar Bharat, Government needs to revamp public policies addressing overall care to the Divyangs and making more legal means in getting their human right at every sphere of life.
