Ensuring facilities for physically challenged
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 10 2011 -

It is extremely heartening to read that a group of volunteers from the Vijay Merchant Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled (VMRCD), Mumbai are here to impress upon the state government and other related institutions and establishments to press for various facilities needed by physically challenged tourists and travelers.

The VMRCD team which set off from Mumbai on September 20 plans to traverse a distance of 9460 kms by road covering eight state capitals and 40 cities across the country before terminating their campaign on December 20.

Such initiative is much needed considering the fact that the facilities for the physically challenged which they set out to ensure or rather press upon the state government, institutions and establishments is non existent in a state like Manipur.

There is no dedicated facilities for the physically challenged in government offices, banks, public transport systems etc. The Imphal Post office is a rare exception which has a ramp instead of stairs making it easier for he physically challenged to get to the first floor where most of the business is carried.

But what about other places, imagine the plight of a physically challenged persons chasing a file in various offices or getting a simple document signed which involves running after several tables, in several rooms, when even for someone with no physical restriction in movement, it is such a daunting task.

Or imagine going to a bank or an ATM to withdraw some money, here also no special provision has been put in place for the convenience of the physically challenged. The same is the case with other public publics like auditoriums, cinema houses, the most sought after Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre or BOAT where some of the most significant and popular events of the state is held does not provide easy access to the physically challenged.

Likewise, travelling around in the state for any one with physical mobility problem is a herculean task. There is not a single mode of transport in the state which is accessible to the physically challenged.

In the most commonly used cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, mini buses, vans, tata magic, etc there is hardly any likelihood of making special arrangement. But buses because of its spaciously nature, if they are specially designed could facilitate their easy mobility travel for the physically challenged but there is none in sight at the moment.

As for the roads, the less said the better. The planners seem to have given a complete go by to this issue of physically challenged persons, at times feeling the need to use them.

No thought whatsoever has been given to this aspect. Not to talk about dedicated lanes for them, most of the roads in this state do not have a pavement where pedestrians could walk or someone in a wheelchair can move about.

And what about our educational institutes, be it schools -both private and government run, colleges or even the university ? Here also no special facilities taking into account the need of the physically challenged have been put in place.

All these are a very sad reflection on the insensitivities of the government as also of our society to the needs of the physically challenged.

Beyond providing every facility for their physical and intellectual development, the physically challenged persons should be empowered lead a normal life, not depended on the mercy and charities of others.

Besides providing all these facilities, it is important for the society to treat them with dignity and respect.

Many physically challenged persons, despite the odds staked against them have made tremendous contributions. One only has to recollect the lives of Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking as shining example of this.

And given the right kind of facilities and opportunities, every individual is capable of contributing his or her mite to the progress of mankind.