Ashwini Angadi will meet Malala in NY again, next week

Invited by the UN to address the International Youth Voices on Post-2015, she is the only Indian to have been invited to the event by the organiser, Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities.

Bubbling with enthusiasm, Ashwini discusses her plans in a tete-a-tete with Y Maheswara Reddy. She narrates her plans and willingness even to visit Pakistan if she gets a chance.

What will you speak on in New York?
I will speak on the need to include disability in post 2015 millennium development goals of the United Nations. My emphasis will be on education facilities for the disabled children. It took me a week to work on my speech.

What has changed for you after you won the Malala award?
The award has made me more responsible. Earlier, I used to spend my leisure time visiting places in the city. Now, I can’t do it. I try to attend to problems of disabled persons who seek my help. I am working with Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Young Voices that works for providing education for people with disabilities. We focus on people with disabilities in the age group between 16 years to 25 years.

Any problems you have solved?
I had put up lot of efforts to help Manjula, a disabled person working at one of the state government departments situated in a multi-storied building. The authorities used to harass her on some pretext or the other. They even suspended her from service. I visited the office and discussed with the authorities and finally succeeded in getting her reinstated. She has got a transfer to Mysore to avoid further harassment in future.

What is the most memorable and most disappointing moment in your life?
I was very happy when Manjula got her job. The most disappointing moment was when I came to know about the plight of Sahana of Sandur. The visually-challenged Sahana wants to pursue higher studies, but her parents are against it. They think that having money is sufficient to survive in society.

What is your message to visually and physically challenged people?
Children with disabilities should not lose hope. They should wait for the right time for the right opportunity. They have to realise that there will be no employment without education and no status without education. I request the government to provide education opportunities for physically and visually-challenged children.

Will you be meeting Malala at the UN?
Yes. I will request her to support my work and I will extend my support to her work.

Will you visit Pakistan, if you get an opportunity?
Yes, of course. I will visit Pakistan without any hesitation if there is an opportunity.

Aren’t you worried about threat to your life from terrorists? Malala was shot by them.
I don’t fear any threat to my life. I am also like Malala.