Disabled and Differently Abled

Originally posted by: Chitrashi

<font color="#0066FF">Actually apart from Delhi (to some extent, only in Paharganj), Mumbai(quite accessible) and Pune (has ramps on one side and stairs on the other on all overhead bridges), I have seen no railway station equipped to handle the problems of the physically challenged.

Another thing, I'm not talking about the Metro stations, I'm talking about stations for long distance travel. Most trains don't even have the facility for the disabled to board or de-board.
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Originally posted by: fire.whiskey

Actually my native city's railway station is equipped with ramp though its multi-purpose it also helps people to carry heavy-loads easily but then railway stations can only have long ramps rather than short once *obviously because of the distance*!

I disagree Chitrashi. I think today's episode was the best episode of Satyamev Jayate so far.

It had an inspirational tone, it did lay down facts/stats, tell stories, it did have moving and emotional parts too - but the sentimental bit did not dominate - which is a good sign.

Aamir has improved A LOT as an anchor. I like how his reactions, mannerisms have toned down a bit and his crying has also lessened. I noticed it in episode 5 also. Good to see him get more stable since he clearly begun on a shaky ground when he first started out!

I think it is APT that he did not give the show a despondent feel and kept the mood upbeat, allowed the courageous differently abled people to express themselves openly, and even joke about. It just helped ordinary people see that the disabled are not some weirdos but are, at heart, as normal and alike as them!

I think the needs of the physically challenged were shown well through the videos of disabled people struggling at public places, Javed Abidi's interview on employment and other rights of disabled and detailed coverage of Amar Jyoti school and its facilities.

The show can not go into minute details of how many stations in India have ramps or not and how coolies extort the disabled etc. Disability is a broad issue and its each facet has many other intricate issues attached with it. The show would be never-ending if it tried to go into too many nitty gritties.

The only issue that I have is that he covered physical handicap and did not even talk of intellectual handicaps & mental disabilities. That should have also been touched upon.

Plus, I didn't like skimming the surface when it came to biases at educational institutions and blaming only other class conscious parents! We know teachers and principals are no saints either and many have their own biases and do not want trouble of handling special kids with normal ones.

Lastly, I am glad he showed Nisha's case. It was gut-wrenching! I was not only appalled to learn of her condition but also flabbergasted by what she had to go through! No salute is enough for that girl's courage and her parents' unconditional love for her.

This episode made me feel ashamed of myself, how I worry about things and have at times given up on my dreams just because I got affected by what nasty & discouraging stuff other people said or did to me! Here, these guys are so proud of themselves and doing their best to live to the fullest, despite the callous comments of world around them despite their handicap. And ones like me? I am ashamed for not being able to muster courage myself and respect myself, the way these guys respect themselves and don't give a damn to naysayers!

What this episode has shown - is something which majority of Indians do not even think about. So I don't worry about other fine details which it might have missed. No one ever wondered about lack of simple facilities for the disabled. So I am glad it jolted indifferent masses' conscience! Best thing was attack on notion of disability being result of previous birth's sins or notion that being ''kind'' to some disabled person will get you some blessings or wash your sins! This notion is DEEP-ROOTED in masses of India. Too happy to see Aamir and participants on the show kicked it to the curb!👏

It was much better than other shows on this topic on TV. I don't think it failed on any count really.