We are hiring…

Amarjot Kaur

What could possibly be more crippling than a mind that refuses to acknowledge talent, or a blinding vision, handicapped by narrow perspectives structured on prejudices and stereotypes? With the Persons with Disability Act (1995) mandating a 3 per cent reservation in government jobs, various NCPEDP incentives and awards, the reality of underemployment is still grim. However, the employers in Chandigarh have looked beyond what is apparent and more importantly, they believed in the ability of the disabled.

As city-based differently-able professionals, who turned their challenges into opportunities to earn their bread and butter, talk about their experience of working in professional organisations, their employers share that they are better at their work than the ‘normal’ professionals.

“We have as many as four differently-able people working with us, and they are far more productive than some of the normal professionals. In fact, we are looking at hiring more people,” says Guneet Sethi, director HRD and CSR, at Gilard Electronics Pvt Ltd. Mohali.

Meanwhile, Rajwinder Singh, Deputy Director, CII, Chandigarh, says, “The government gives a 3 per cent quota for the disabled, but for government jobs, they have to clear many exams and it’s tough to get through. However, we, through our CSR initiatives provide jobs to people with basic education (till Class 10th or 12). We tie up with several organisations, including NITTTR-26, Sarthak Educational Trust and generate opportunities for the disabled through an annual Ability Fair, which will be organised this year on June 3.”

We can do it

“We have been assembling processers and crimping for over nine months now and I have only studied till Class 12 from Punjab Board,” conveys Mandeep Kumar, 21, who works with his younger brother, Manish Kumar, 20, at Gilard Electronics Pvt Ltd. Mohali. This brother duo is speech and hearing impaired and they hail from Ropar. The two take a bus down to their city and work daily in the nine-to-five shift.

“People here are very corporative and we feel happy that we are earning,” conveys Manish, who loves playing cricket, while his brother fancies painting in his free time.

Totally in control

Rishi Singla, 29, who is partially speech and hearing impaired, wears his new-found confidence on his sleeves, which comes from two years of working at a place that didn’t just confine him to odd jobs.

“I am an engineer and here I work as a quality engineer, unlike the other firm I worked at, which didn’t quite show much interest in my talent. Also, I sometimes talk on the phone now,” he smiles.

A happy tune

Ritu Sharma, 28, reminds you of Geet from Jab We Met. Her energy is electric and she mellows it with a smile. Not only is she an in-house comparer of Gilard, but she sings like a nightingale.

“The nerves of my right foot are dead. It’s an orthopaedic condition, but I have a new leg braces that are light weight I am happy to get rid of the old one that weighed 2 kg. Earlier, I had a sitting job here, in the document control section, but when I told them that I want to work as an engineer, they made me the moulding and production in-charge,” says Ritu, who stays in Chandigarh.

Cue cards and a big smile

Among the three hearing and speech impaired employees of the Lifestyle Store, at Elante, Pramod Kumar, the on the cash counter, floors you with his infectious smile. A resident of Sahni Niwas, Panchkula, Pramod uses cue cards to communicate with the customers.

“It’s really nice working here. Everyone is very helpful and when it’s hard for me to explain something to people, I just write it down on a notepad. Also, I have a couple of cue cards for asking questions and greeting too, so that helps,” he says.

Shop for motivation

Naveen Kumar, 24, suffers from a birth defect, which rendered the nerves of his foot and arm dead. Working at V-Mart, he has made some friends, who help him out, if required. “I take a bus in the morning and an auto at night. Sometimes people are impatient, but most of the times they are very understanding. I love working and will continue to work,” he says.

Move on in life

Just three years ago, Mohammad Nawaz, 23, lost his arm when he suffered an electric shock. At V-Mart, you’ll find him on the second floor, in the clothing section. “I worked as a carpenter, and soon after losing my arm, I was depressed and didn’t want to face people thinking what will they say. But, I guess, disability starts with your mental blocks and once I started working here, things kept getting better,” he says. Nawaz, who nurtures a dream of becoming a web designer, is studying. “I will become a web designer someday, because life moves on and so should you!” he smiles.

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