http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Trial-by-fire-in-Class-XII-admission-for-differently-abled-Agnivo/articleshow/20538438.cms
KOLKATA: Agnivo Paul, who faced insurmountable physical and mental challenges in pursuit of studies, the only passion for the 17-year-old battling multiple deformities, was denied entry to several reputed schools in the city. Agnivo passed the ICSE examination this year from Maharishi Vidyamandir in Bansdroni, securing 69%. Wheelchair-bound since a tender age, Agnivo has till date undergone eight surgeries-from an ankle surgery when he was just seven days old to an eight-hour spinal surgery to save him from a life-threatening scholiosis that had bent the spinal chord was compressing the heart against the rib cage. He has also stoically endured exclusion from school activities all life. But he has refused to give up. It was only when he saw frustration begin to engulf his parents when they were unable to admit him to any school for Plus 2 studies that he looked resigned. When the prospects of him pursuing studies any further seemed extremely bleak, a school has finally offered him a seat, and an opportunity to battle on. "Studies are my only motivation. Apart from the time in bed, I am confined to a wheelchair all day. That is why books are my saviour and my best friend apart from my mother. I love to attend classes because that is when I can be like other boys and girls of my age," said Agnivo. An avid reader, he loves being wheeled into the fantasy world of book stores. "Agnivo has never had any problems in studies. His learning ability has always been good. The only time his studies was impacted was in 2011 when he developed bed sore after being confined to the bed for five months," said his mother Lina. Agnivo wants to become an economist. That is what keeps him motivated. And he has always found support from his parents. "If he can endure so much to keep his dream alive, the least we can do is support him in every way we can," said Saradindu, a senior executive. But that dream was perilously close to crashing after he passed class X. Though Saradindu and Lina approached five city schools, one of which even assured them of admission after the ICSE results were declared, they all turned him away during admission. There were other schools the Pauls could not approach due to problem of accessibility. The wheelchair-bound Agnivo cannot attend class if it is not on the ground floor or the school does not have elevator. "In one instance, the cut-off mark was 70% and so he was denied admission. In another, the principal at first agreed to admit him and then refused when we told him about his disability. In yet another school, he was made to sit in the corridor to give an entrance test while other students gave the exam in classrooms. What was most humiliating and disturbing during the entire period was the sheer reluctance of schools to admit a boy simply because he is physically challenged," seethed Lina. The couple firmly believes the attitude problem is among Kolkata schools. They had a very different experience when they were in Raigarh. There was no problem admitting him to Carmel school there. "In fact, the school encouraged my wife to join the school as a teacher so that she could support him. The tough journey started once I was transferred to Kolkata," Saradindu recounted. They had a tough time getting him admitted in class III. While schools did not say no, they were evasive. Though he did finally get admitted, few teachers went that extra mile to make him feel a part of the class. During the computer period, the whole class sans Agnivo would troop out to the lab in another floor, leaving him alone in a deserted floor. "At school functions, they wouldn't ask him to participate. When we told the school that they should involve him as well, they would ask him if he would like to do something. But it lacked sincerity or intent. He has never complained because he is used to being treated with indifference," said Lina. Even the parents of other children lacked sensitivity. When Agnivo could attend school for months due to scholiosis, Lina had a tough time getting other parents to share what had been taught during the period. "Despite the odds, when Agnivo did well in exams, some parents mindlessly commented within his earshot that it is due to lenient scoring by examiners who sympathize with his handicap," said Lina. While such insensitivity has left the couple scarred, and perhaps even Agnivo though he rarely betrays pain or hurt, it is the trauma they underwent during the admission to class XI that has infuriated both. "Like my son, this must be happening to so many children with disabilities. Most would be worse off as they may not be as financially secure as Agnivo. The charade about empathizing with the differently-abled in public must stop," fumed Saradindu, his voice low to ensure that Agnivo reading a book in the next room did not sense the simmering anger. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. 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