Though, I never wanted to express my reflection on the recent shows of Radio Udaan which delth with government’s office memorandum regarding scribe use. I however think that we should not let such programmes go unnoticed which are devoid of facts and propogate ill-founded qualm. The online station is runned by blind volunteers and I appreciate their efforts and salute their hardwork. It doesn’t mean that the station starts media trial without ascertaining any facts from the grassroot and spread lies which are of serious nature and can deal a huge blow to the hard-earned working Office Memorandum which ensures equal playing field to the blind candidates in the competitive examinations. I can understand that the station lacks professionalism and is void of journalistic ethics and benchmark, I however in awe of its humble attempts to raise the concerns faced by the blind community in the country. The matter under consideration is being delth by the review committee constituted by the MSJE, and baseless allegations herled by a handful of elite already employeed blind reformers should desist from dealing a blow to the poor blind candidates whose pillar to post struggle to appear in the examination could be hampered by their unfounded allegations. The clause of invigilation in the office memorandum provides absolute writes to the exam-conducting agencies to invigilate and the authorities should own the onus to restrict mal practices if any. The matter should rest there. The community knows it well that there are established biases during the interview process and we should work to remove such obstacles. But the office memo gives equal playing space during the writing process which should not be tinkered with. Those who are sure that blind people can learn meths/reasoning with efforts and crack such exams with ease in stipulated time, I’d love to listen if they ever appear and crack such exams. Sighted candidates solve questions on rough papers then click mouse on the write answer. and Ask them they exhaust around 6 to 7 sheets in the course of their examinations. Lets not bemoan the fact that blind people particularly who didn’t have privilege of supportive families and well-equipped schools/colleges have made it in the workforce. They are equally talended, hardworking and contributing to the best of their ability to the growth of financial institutions. The MSJE Memo is yet to be implemented in toto across the country and we should strive to put pressure on the states’ to abide by the government directive. What if discrimination faced by blind candidates don’t appear in the mainstream media, but there is widespread humiliation at the examination centres across the length and breath of India. In the ever shrinking government jobs, Jobs are few and far for blind candidates. The scenario is woefully bleak for the totally blind individuals. Instances abound, where interview panels prefer low-vision candidates and those who’ve fake disability certificates over brilliant totally blind candidates. Radio Udaan should find merit in these loopholes and discuss and debate to bring forth the biases entrenched in the psychy of the non-disabled interview panelists and the authorities. Moreover, Despite the Apex Court’s 2013 pathbreaking judgment, Majority of Indian states are yet to fulfill quota envisaged under the PWDA 1995. These are the real and burning concerns of the community. Cheers
-- Avinash Shahi Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU 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. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. To check if your post reached the list and for the archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/maillist.html To post to the list email at: ai@accessin...@inclusivehabitat.in List Url: http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai-- Ai mailing list Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai
