Infirmity no barrier to success: Disabled persons

Disability or health issues are no barrier to survival, success and sustained growth, say the disabled persons of the region.

Determination, hard work and resilience were cited as the ,aom components of the strategy for transforming the theme for the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities ‘fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’ into reality.

Welcoming action taken by successive governments and service organisations towards supporting the disabled persons through encouragement, assistive technology, providing positive environment and healthcare facilities, the enthusiasts called upon their brethren to come forward to adopt ‘Bechara Nahin Bahadur’ attitude as an element of their lifestyle.

Shiv Narad Buta, an office-bearer of the Ahmedgarh Sports and Social Welfare Association, said that dozens of disabled persons from localities falling under Malerkotla and Ludhiana districts had been living a dignified life by running their own establishments while others were serving in government offices to the satisfaction of their seniors.

“When my parents had provided me enough support to setup my own atta chakki why should I look towards the government or any other organisation for running my family and maintaining status in the society?” Buta added, citing a number of cases where disabled persons were working as artisans, painters, singers and government personnel.

Mani Ghungrana, an engineer from Amarpura Mohalla, was born able-bodied but turned disabled due to some mysterious neuromuscular disorder following the demise of his father due to electrocution on farm.

But instead of seeking any type of assistance from any of the government or non-government-organisation, Main accepted the disability as a challenge.

“Though our family earlier used to cultivate only our own land, I chose to explore chances by hiring about 70 acres of extra land after nature played a cruel joke on me by causing permanent physical disability,” Mani said, claiming that income from his agriculture was supporting several families including some marginal farmers.

The formula behind his success, he says is that he visits all his fields in his specially-modified car to monitor the growth and development of crops besides weekly inspection on a wheelchair.

Main believes that unnecessary dependence on freebies and facilities makes an individual a pitiable person.

District Social Security Officer Dr Lovleen Berring appreciated that several disabled persons had set examples for others by promoting entrepreneurship, sports and leadership avenues for their brethren. “Though we have been spreading awareness about facilities and reservations being provided to disabled persons by the government. Several eligible persons chose to surrender these concessions for their less-privileged brethren,” Berring said.