Living with disability | Poem

Though India reflect its concern for specially-abled with the legislated 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016', the intent must be churned. For even they deserve to live a normal life. Imagine an activity as basic as booking an Uber/Ola. Though it may be a part and parcel of our life, for them it becomes a Sisyphean task.

Such were the issues which my younger sibling faced while living in this society. Not everyone is to be blamed. We are, after all, a developing nation - beset with basic issues. ( As basic as food, shelter and nourishment). However what I ask, or request is to stop if you see a person on his/her wheelchair and give him/her way. Stop if you see a person struggling to get on the bus, as his muscular mobility might not be as strong as yours. Don't honk, if you see a person limping while crossing the road. This passive help, won't take much effort, however, can assure smooth mobility for specially-abled.

We depend on the government for assistance, but it's time we as the citizens took the lead initiatives to solve our issues, one at a time. Baby steps.

In relation to a similar fight, which my sibling fought every-day, I had penned down a poem for him, few years back, to recite in a competition. It still remains the most special poem to me. And by this time, if you are here - still reading - first i would thank-you and request you to put in a minute more and do read the poem below.

"Meri Duniya"

Jeevan ki hai yeh daastaan

Main aapko sunaun kuch is tarah

Udhta hai panchhi aasmaan may

Toh chal bhi kyun nahi paata hun meh yahan?

Kuch samay merey saath jeevan bita kar toh dekho

Kuch natkhat pal merey saath jee kar toh dekho

Har waqt hain insaan ka masum badalta yahan

fir bhi kehlay hindustan sabsey acha jahan?

Beeti hai meri zindagi is kamrey may

Padhta hun meh akhbaar ki surkiya

Aaye kabhi yahaan, koi bhi sarkaar

Par kya behtar banaya hai unhoney yeh meri duniya.?

Sadak par chalney nahi deta koi

Cinema Hall may aagey badhney deta nahi koi

Kya aap banaaoge, isko bhi meri duniya?

Kehta nahi par karta hun mehsoos

Kyun karti hai duniya mhujey door?

Khelne ki hai icha bohot, par kya karun hun meh majboor

Chaddar kay andar lipat kar sunta hun dadi ki kahaniya

Maana hai choti, par yehi hai meri duniya.