Visually challenged Rahul Deshmukh, the founder president of the National Association for the Welfare of Physically Challenged (NAWPC), has always appeared in the merit list of every examination he has appeared. Having recently received the super idol award from none other than actor Aamir Khan, Deshmukh is whole-heartedly working for the cause of the physically challenged through his organisation. Soumabha Nandi speaks to the talented social worker.
Q: Are the governmental aids and reservations for the visually challenged sufficient? Are they implemented in a proper manner?
A: The various policies and aids by the government for the visually challenged exist only on paper but fail when it comes to practical implementation. There are many lacunas in the manner these aids and reservation policies are carried out. The procedure that a visually challenged person needs to follow is very long and complicated, and the results too aren’t guaranteed. The social welfare department of the government does not act efficiently to reach out to the visually challenged and the officials lack compassion in their treatment.
The lengthy process of documentation and lack of awareness about these policies among the public make matters further difficult. Besides, the census calculation is flawed and hence the identification of the visually challenged, especially in the rural areas, is not carried out in an efficient manner.
Q: What are the problems faced by the visually challenged in being part of society?
A: Social acceptance is the basic and the most vital problem that we face in our society. The visually challenged are looked down upon because of their limitations and at the same time discriminated from the rest. This causes inferiority complex among them thus affecting their confidence and self-belief.
However, I still believe that the visually challenged must take initiatives and shed their inhibitions to prove themselves. I have learnt this through my own experience. I was looked down upon in the college for the first six months until I proved myself.
Q: What have been the recent initiatives taken up by NAWPC?
A: We recently organised a special scholarship innovative programme wherein nearly 150 visually challenged students were given scholarships by NAWPC. Besides that, we have started a computer training centre for the physically challenged, which will enable them to compete in the changing scenario. The digital library of the organisation has been a very positive and innovative project, which is helping students to a large extent. When I was studying in college, I had to largely depend on others to help me read books. However, the digital library has enabled the visually challenged children to pursue their knowledge gaining exercise in an independent manner.
Q: What are the challenges faced by the NAWPC?
A: Financial constraints is the root cause of every problem that we face. We have not received any government grants and hence have to carry out various activities for the physically challenged without any permanent financial support.
Besides, lack of space has forced us to give up various projects we had in mind. For example, we wanted to establish a special hostel for the physically challenged but do not have sufficient space for the same. We aren’t getting the kind of support we seek.
Being a young social worker who is visually challenged, it was difficult for people to have faith in me and my abilities, and this is the biggest challenge we are facing even today.
Comments