Where the head is held high….

Disability is the inability to see ability in others…

I recently visited “Apna Ghar” School, which is a school for differently abled children, with flying birds team.It was during this visit that a thought struck my mind…why at all do we call them differently abled? Are they different from “us”? “Us” here refers to those who think they are physically perfect.Is there anyone on the face of this planet who is perfect. For instance, if we call a child who cannot speak, “mute”, then what would you refer to a person who doesn’t stand for his rights? Or anyone who cannot see is termed “blind”, then what about those who hurt and kill others knowingly. Aren’t they also blind and deaf towards others’ suffering?

Nobody is born perfect. None of us are same.We are all uniquely different from one another.So in what way are these children “different”? Infact, we all

are different and have qualities which set us poles apart.

God never takes away anything from us without replacing it with something better. Am now referring to the abilities and talent that these children possess.As it is said “Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision”, these children have it all…talent, grit, determination and passion. All they demand from us is an equal and fair chance. If provided with an appropriate opportunity, they will surely come out with flying colours, as beautiful singers, amazing painters, graceful dancers, confident performers and what not.

It’s high time that we as a societylearn to accept them as part of us.In a country where approx 2.6  crore people suffer with some or the other disability,we cannot go too far leaving them behind. We need to build an all inclusive society – A society which walks hand in hand with all its fellow men.Applauding a movie like “TaareZameen Par” and then coming back home only to pity or discriminate  such children does not justify our behavior. Lets enable them to live a life of equality with their heads held high.

If at all we need to categorize people, then let it be on the basis of their merit, their compassion and their love for every little soul around them. We, as a nation, should thrive for building up a society that embraces all…after all we have been taught and brought up with the concept of “वसुधैव कुटुंबकम् ”. So let’s reach out and hold every single hand in need, take them along towards a better life, a bright tomorrow as William Shakespeare said, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”