Making Disabled Self-Reliant

This letter by me was published in today's Deccan Chronicle Bangalore edition.
Make them self-reliant
Policies and legislation for the physically challenged must be tempered with com passion and urgency. The Centre had decided to reserve 3 per cent of the government jobs for the disabled way back in 1995. However, the very fact that it is yet to come into force shows the utter lack of sensitivity towards the disabled
We should not forget that the disabled do not seek anyone’s mercy, but just support. If they are trained in some vocational activities, they will earn their bread themselves. The phys ically challenged can also b employed if they are taught the nuances of business ven tures.
Also, the state govern ment can replicate the Orissa government’s initiative where a cash incentive is given to the bride or groom who comes forward to marry a physically challenged person. Even companies employing disabled persons can be given incentive and subsidies so that more will emulate the practice.
Srikanth Shankar Matrubai,
Bengaluru