According to the last census of India conducted in 2011, there are 26.8 million people with disabilities in India. Yet the country fares poorly in terms of inclusivity. It ranked 62nd among 74 emerging countries on the Inclusive Development Index compiled by the World Economic Forum. The least inclusive among the G-20 countries.
Take a look around you. How accessible is the community you live in? The markets you shop in? The office buildings, the entertainment centers, the restaurants, and bars? Public transport – the less said the better.
The disabled are always expected to adapt to the world instead of the other way around. We celebrate them only when the Paralympics team wins medals and accolades for India. But lack the will to make our country inclusive.
Last year, I shared a review of a brilliant book, Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc. A book that explored how disability is perceived by the able-bodied. Closer home, the struggle of the differently-abled increases manifolds in face of government and social apathy. Not to mention the deep-rooted cultural beliefs. And we are all well aware of the mere tokenism if any.
Disability & India: A Personal Story
One does not often understand the enormity of a situation until it is experienced in close quarters.
In 2017, my mother suffered an injury that left her bedridden for months and wheelchair-bound for another two years. Since we had lost our father earlier that year, a few formalities needed to be completed that required her to move about. What followed was an eye-opening experience that left us angry and disturbed.
Most banks, government offices, and similar office buildings were inaccessible. Add to that lack of empathy among the officials. I vividly recall being talked down to in a rather condescending tone on why I was expecting an elevator in a two-storeyed courthouse building. When informed that my mother used a wheelchair, I was matter of factly told that I could easily find someone to carry her to the first floor. After all, it was just a flight of stairs.
It is not that making a building accessible is difficult. If the army headquarters located in Lutyens’ Delhi South Block (a historical building at that) can be made accessible, why not new constructed buildings and markets.
My mother made a full recovery. But each day, differently-abled individuals are treated as invisible. Accessibility faring the last in the development plans.
Continuing the conversation as a part of Blogchatter‘s #CauseAChatter campaign, today I share with you memoirs and personal narratives about the lived experiences.
Higher Than Everest: Memoirs of a Mountaineer
by H.P.S. Ahluwalia
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
In May 1965, Padma Shri Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia scaled Mt. Everest as a part of the first Indian team to do so. Four months later, during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he suffered a bullet injury on the spine that left him confined to a wheelchair. Higher Than Everest: Memoirs of a Mountaineer narrates his impossible fight towards rehabilitation and achieving the dream of building India’s first world-class Spinal Injuries Centre.
An author of 13 books, I have been privileged to know him personally as a part of the extended family. We lost him earlier this year but his legacy lives on and continues to inspire.
One Little Finger
by Malini Chib
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Malini Chib was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that makes body movement and speech extremely difficult.
One Little Finger is the inspiring story of Malini’s heroic battle against adversity, prejudice, stigmas, and stereotypes. Her experiences, her struggles, and the apathy and indifference of people towards her. The book gets its name from the one functional finger she uses to type.
The book questions why the disabled should be treated differently? The film Margarita With A Straw is based on her life.
Disability & India – Memoirs and Personal Narratives @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Share on X
No Looking Back
by Shivani Gupta
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Twenty-two-year-old Shivani’s life was turned upside down when a car crash shattered her spine and left her paralyzed. Tragedy struck again a few years later when she suffered grave injuries and she lost her new husband in another car crash.
Today, Shivani Gupta is one of India’s most renowned accessibility consultants. No Looking Back is a deeply moving and inspiring narrative about surviving the challenges of disability in a country that treats the disabled as invisible and does not include them in the public discourse.
The Other Senses: An Inspiring True Story of a Visually Impaired
by Preeti Monga
Preeti was barely six years old when doctors diagnosed her deteriorating vision as a condition due to optic atrophy.
The Other Senses is Preeti Monga’s incredible story from a child struggling with blindness to her dismissal from school on the same grounds. From domestic violence in her first marriage to her experiences with motherhood. From rejection, trauma, and discrimination to asserting her rights and becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Do check out the TEDx Talk below where she shares an insight into the lives of the visually impaired.
I hope these books add to the much needed conversation about inclusivity in India. Do you have similar recommendations? Do share about them in the comments below.
Disability & India – Memoirs and Personal Narratives @blogchatter #CauseAChatter #Inclusivity #Disability #BookChatter #BohoPonderings Share on X
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
Photo credit: Canva.com
February 24, 2022 @ 11:52 pm
Totally agree with you. I felt the drawback when I was with a baby in a pram in India… and then went to UK and it was so easy to go anywhere with a baby in a pram.
February 25, 2022 @ 9:48 am
Reading your post was a humbling experience. It nudged my conscience and made me look in awe with those multi talented souls with a never say die spirit.
February 25, 2022 @ 5:17 pm
I feel ashamed that I crib about my life.These tales of accomplishments give us lots of inspiration.Thanks for the share, Ritu
February 25, 2022 @ 5:47 pm
Thank you for sharing. I myself was unaware of the sheer number of people with disabilities in India or the literature out there to educate myself more. Every small step helps and I know that with more people highlighting this, soon India will become more disability friendly in terms of providing facilities
February 25, 2022 @ 10:35 pm
I’ve observed how inaccessible our establishments often are for the differently abled but didn’t think too much about it since it didn’t affect me closely. These are such inspiring books and titles! Great topic to write about.
February 26, 2022 @ 7:05 am
Definitely agree India is a difficult place when it comes to disable people, you don’t find the convenience that you would get in foreign countries.
February 26, 2022 @ 8:00 pm
I remember how angry you would get that banks and government offices were not wheelchair friendly. I am looking forward to reading One Little Finger since you have already got me.
February 26, 2022 @ 11:47 pm
I loved your posts. And you are very true. Here in India it is not so friendly for the people with disabilities
February 27, 2022 @ 4:58 am
I met with a disastrous accident on 25th May 2017. I was in ventilation for a week and bedridden for 1.5 years. I could relate. I know how is it like.
February 27, 2022 @ 8:01 am
Everyone knows how difficult it is for differently abled people but when you read such inspiring stories you not just feel motivated but also understand that inspite of all these difficulties how these people are conquering the world.
February 27, 2022 @ 11:03 am
It is sad, the way things are right now. After reading your post I am moved and I totally agree with your thoughts. It’s high time that a simple doable thing like this is done!
February 27, 2022 @ 12:56 pm
You’ve done a wonderful job of compiling this literature Ritu. We need to read these diverse memoirs to understand better the need for inclusivity. In fact, they must be turned into visual documentaries or movies to have a wider reach.
February 27, 2022 @ 1:04 pm
That’s a beautiful post! I love how you try to cover various topics around books
February 27, 2022 @ 1:08 pm
This post really adds value to the reader.It makes us believe, if we really have willingness to do, we can do it irrespective of our limitations. Thank you
February 27, 2022 @ 4:54 pm
I’ve had a similar experience with one of my close relatives as well ritu. I will try to read this. Looking forward to your other awakening posts on issues
February 27, 2022 @ 7:15 pm
An eye-opening post. Guess we all need to be more accommodating and emphatic towards the less privileged.
February 27, 2022 @ 7:29 pm
What an insightful posts nd inspiring person. Loved the spirit. I think India needs to go a long way to incorporate the convenience of differently abkes individuals
February 27, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
Your post is a reminder that we have a lot to be grateful for! Thank you!
February 27, 2022 @ 10:23 pm
As a country we have a long way to go to make public spaces user friendly for ppl with physical disablities or for the aged. I have a 97yr old grandmother & until a few years ago it was a challenge to take her out as many places are not friendly for wheelchair or have a walking ramp since she cant climb stairs.
February 28, 2022 @ 10:02 am
What amazing people and what amazing books. I am in awe of the spirit of these people who refuse to give up.
February 28, 2022 @ 12:23 pm
I agree with you, most of the places in our county is not easily accessible, it will take time may be another decade to easily accessible. I see some accessible places but it’s not as progressive as it has to be. I am adding all these in my Reading list.
February 28, 2022 @ 7:42 pm
Undoubtedly , disabled people do more than an abled person. That’s why instead of saying disabled we have given a special name ” Specially abled”. These books have a different power of motivating. All these examples want to say that If you have a centered goal in life then nothing stops you.
February 28, 2022 @ 11:32 pm
I had once seen how a differently abled man was mistreated while travelling in train. These books are indeed quite motivating.
March 1, 2022 @ 4:20 am
I want to read these books. They all are so inspiring. I know how difficult it is in India compared to other developed countries for people with disabilities.
March 1, 2022 @ 11:14 am
I completely agree. I am a disabled person and face a lot of hardships in India while travelling
May 1, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
I had no idea about Madhu ji’s experience Ritu. I’m so glad she’s better now. These books seem amazing. I had absolutely loved ‘Margarita with a Straw’ and would love to read the book too.