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Govt’s myopic vision deprives disabled of a bright future
KATHMANDU, DEC 04 - Even though 12 years have gone by since Nepal began observing December 3 as the International Disabled Day, the country is still struggling to wake up to the calls of the physically and mentally challenged ones.
Madan Pandit, a physically challenged student from Tanahun, was a national topper among his disabled peers in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams.
In fact, he also surpassed his able bodied friends at school, being the only one to have passed the SLC exams in the first division. Pandit’s sole grievance: lack of inspiration and support from those professing to work for the benefit of the differently-abled.
"I have not received the support I yearn for from anybody except my family," he said. "In fact, not a single soul has congratulated me for my achievements."
The problem, he states, is that there is no such forum where people like him can approach for help. "There are hardly any programmes being held for the likes of us, and even if there are some, a wide population is still uninitiated and unaware of its existence," he laments.
Various associations of disabled have been accusing the government of failing to work for the benefit of the disabled.
"The government has done worse by displacing disabled from leadership level positions in organisations related
directly to the disabled," said Munishwor Pandey, president of the Federation for Disabled, referring to the recent nomination of an able person in the Disabled Relief Fund (DRF).
The challenges faced by the disabled do not end here. Far away from the agitation at the policy making level, others are fighting for survival, self-dignity and equal opportunities.
The employment ratio of the disabled so far is pitiful. "Only 500 of the disabled are employed in various sectors while the population of the disabled in Nepal is 24,00,000," said Munishwor Pandey.
According to Pandey, the government has failed to provide equal opportunities to the disabled even if they are capable of shouldering varied job responsibilities. Physically and mentally challenged
are always prone to discrimination,
which is most prominent at the social
level.
Brinda Ranjit, a nurse by profession, lost the use of both her legs due to polio while still a child. Recalling the olden days, she says, "The treatment from others was always very negative and it took a lot of strength to fight that attitude."Posted on: 2003-12-03 10:58
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