By the editor
People are gifted with different talents and abilities to cope with their daily life. That is how they build their society and in course of time make necessary adjustments according to requirement. In ancient times, able-bodied and healthy persons were respected and honoured because they were considered to be fit in defending their country. On the other hand, disabled and deformed children were eliminated without having any remorse or guilt. Handicapped persons were looked upon as liabilities by the family and the nation and so a burden to everyone. Hence, a healthy nation meant healthy citizens who could perform actively for the progress and welfare of their country. Primitive people were really cruel and heartless to persons who were physically handicapped. Nowadays, the progress of science and technology has revolutionised the concept of persons with disabilities because such handicapped people may possess special talents and with the help of special tools or aids they are able to work like any normal human. These specially-abled compatriots do not need sympathy at all but rather empathy. Medical science has improved and greatly progressed during these last few decades. Persons suffering from ailments which aggravate and possibly damage their bodies can be helped through rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Doctors, scientists and technicians by joint efforts have developed many types of mechanical aids and tools which are of great relief for the handicapped.
India is making great progress and development in various sectors which will benefit all sections of the society. The unpleasant terms ‘handicapped’ and ‘specially-abled’ carry stigmas, which are ugly and unbearable, are now substituted by the word ‘divyang’ as advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is respectful and signifies people who have ‘divine abilities’. Frank K Ellis said: “Every single one of us is handicapped- physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually- to some degree, and although we seldom think about it, the person without faith has a greater handicap than the person without feet.” In order to uplift the ‘divyang’, a special scheme named ‘Accessible India’ was introduced in December 2015 to enable them to participate in industry or sports. For a start, the government intends to provide better facilities to disabled persons by making buildings, roads, railways, airports, etc. easily accessible to them. Facilities include ramps, lifts, parking and toilets. In domestic and international airports, railway stations and public transport, authorities are making good progress for extending necessary assistance to the needy, namely the divyangjan. Different categories of the specially-abled persons like the blind, the deaf, the lame, etc. are being taken care of as per their needs. The goal of the Centre is to make at least 50 per cent of the total websites of the central and state governments accessible to the handicapped. All along, steps taken in helping the disabled meant only welfare measures but they have now become rights enacted under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.