good afternoon everybody it’s wonderful to be here and I would
it’s wonderful to be here and I would
it’s wonderful to be here and I would like to thank TEDx enemies Bangalore for
like to thank TEDx enemies Bangalore for
like to thank TEDx enemies Bangalore for choosing this topic outside out which is
choosing this topic outside out which is
choosing this topic outside out which is I think very applicable to both my life
I think very applicable to both my life
I think very applicable to both my life and to persons with disabilities
and to persons with disabilities
and to persons with disabilities specially in India outside because we
specially in India outside because we
specially in India outside because we are often outside the ecosystem and
are often outside the ecosystem and
are often outside the ecosystem and ignored by society
ignored by society
ignored by society governments and the world at large and
governments and the world at large and
governments and the world at large and out because we need to think out of the
out because we need to think out of the
out because we need to think out of the box to show our presence and I think
box to show our presence and I think
box to show our presence and I think that’s really been the story of what my
that’s really been the story of what my
that’s really been the story of what my life and the disability movement in
life and the disability movement in
life and the disability movement in India so the team that I’m going to
India so the team that I’m going to
India so the team that I’m going to speak about is disability my life and
speak about is disability my life and
speak about is disability my life and the three years I’ve divided a talk into
the three years I’ve divided a talk into
the three years I’ve divided a talk into two parts the first is where I’m going
two parts the first is where I’m going
two parts the first is where I’m going to speak about myself to set the context
to speak about myself to set the context
to speak about myself to set the context and the second is about the three is for
and the second is about the three is for
and the second is about the three is for him work that I have developed to which
him work that I have developed to which
him work that I have developed to which everything can solve a lot of problems
everything can solve a lot of problems
everything can solve a lot of problems that persons with disabilities in India
that persons with disabilities in India
that persons with disabilities in India face but more on that later I was a born
face but more on that later I was a born
face but more on that later I was a born on 1st September 1987 it was 8:30 a.m.
on 1st September 1987 it was 8:30 a.m.
on 1st September 1987 it was 8:30 a.m. in the morning when I mom went to a
in the morning when I mom went to a
in the morning when I mom went to a hospital in Mumbai for cesarean surgery
hospital in Mumbai for cesarean surgery
hospital in Mumbai for cesarean surgery she chosen first September strategically
she chosen first September strategically
she chosen first September strategically because she knew she had to do cesarean
because she knew she had to do cesarean
because she knew she had to do cesarean deliveries so and first September
deliveries so and first September
deliveries so and first September happened to be Ganesha Chaturthi in that
happened to be Ganesha Chaturthi in that
happened to be Ganesha Chaturthi in that particular year and she was a very
particular year and she was a very
particular year and she was a very religious person and as all of you know
religious person and as all of you know
religious person and as all of you know Lord Ganesha has considered the remover
Lord Ganesha has considered the remover
Lord Ganesha has considered the remover of obstacles so I’m sure she went Oh
of obstacles so I’m sure she went Oh
of obstacles so I’m sure she went Oh went in with a lot of hope that her
went in with a lot of hope that her
went in with a lot of hope that her first child will remove a lot of
first child will remove a lot of
first child will remove a lot of obstacles in her life and give her a lot
obstacles in her life and give her a lot
obstacles in her life and give her a lot of joy and happiness but when I was born
of joy and happiness but when I was born
of joy and happiness but when I was born and when I was taken out of my mother’s
and when I was taken out of my mother’s
and when I was taken out of my mother’s womb I was bleeding my arms and legs
womb I was bleeding my arms and legs
womb I was bleeding my arms and legs were fractured and doctors did not
were fractured and doctors did not
were fractured and doctors did not really know what to do with me and one
really know what to do with me and one
really know what to do with me and one doctor actually shouted Oh No and that’s
doctor actually shouted Oh No and that’s
doctor actually shouted Oh No and that’s when my mom realized there’s something
when my mom realized there’s something
when my mom realized there’s something wrong and she started inquiring whoa
wrong and she started inquiring whoa
wrong and she started inquiring whoa what’s happened and doctors in order
what’s happened and doctors in order
what’s happened and doctors in order they want to share that he knows
they want to share that he knows
they want to share that he knows immediately with her because that would
immediately with her because that would
immediately with her because that would be extremely traumatizing and I was
be extremely traumatizing and I was
be extremely traumatizing and I was immediately taken to a baby incubator
immediately taken to a baby incubator
immediately taken to a baby incubator and wrapped the blanket and as I often
and wrapped the blanket and as I often
and wrapped the blanket and as I often say you know that the baby incubators
say you know that the baby incubators
say you know that the baby incubators the only place where if you were wrapped
the only place where if you were wrapped
the only place where if you were wrapped in a blanket and not naked there’s
in a blanket and not naked there’s
in a blanket and not naked there’s something wrong with you
something wrong with you
something wrong with you eventually my parents and I there was
eventually my parents and I there was
eventually my parents and I there was something wrong with me and a lot of
something wrong with me and a lot of
something wrong with me and a lot of doctors were invited to give a diagnosis
doctors were invited to give a diagnosis
doctors were invited to give a diagnosis I was born with this disability called
I was born with this disability called
I was born with this disability called arthrogryposis which basically means
arthrogryposis which basically means
arthrogryposis which basically means that the muscles in my arms and legs
that the muscles in my arms and legs
that the muscles in my arms and legs were not fully developed and they would
were not fully developed and they would
were not fully developed and they would not develop throughout my lifetime
not develop throughout my lifetime
not develop throughout my lifetime unfortunately at that time doctors were
unfortunately at that time doctors were
unfortunately at that time doctors were not really sensitive on how to react
not really sensitive on how to react
not really sensitive on how to react with a child to a child with a
with a child to a child with a
with a child to a child with a disability there were some doctors who
disability there were some doctors who
disability there were some doctors who were he told told my parents that
were he told told my parents that
were he told told my parents that perhaps it’s worth keeping him alive
perhaps it’s worth keeping him alive
perhaps it’s worth keeping him alive because his neck is straight but we
because his neck is straight but we
because his neck is straight but we don’t really know what else can he do in
don’t really know what else can he do in
don’t really know what else can he do in life there was another doctor that who
life there was another doctor that who
life there was another doctor that who actually told my parents that they Putin
actually told my parents that they Putin
actually told my parents that they Putin is going to live the life equivalent
is going to live the life equivalent
is going to live the life equivalent okobu didn’t all and that’s why I write
okobu didn’t all and that’s why I write
okobu didn’t all and that’s why I write here the story of a wooden doll but what
here the story of a wooden doll but what
here the story of a wooden doll but what was the turning point in my life when he
was the turning point in my life when he
was the turning point in my life when he was this one doctor who told my mother
was this one doctor who told my mother
was this one doctor who told my mother that nippin is never really going to
that nippin is never really going to
that nippin is never really going to deprive you of the joys of motherhood
deprive you of the joys of motherhood
deprive you of the joys of motherhood and I think that ready was the turning
and I think that ready was the turning
and I think that ready was the turning point in my life since then it became a
point in my life since then it became a
point in my life since then it became a parent’s machine and like life to judge
parent’s machine and like life to judge
parent’s machine and like life to judge me for what I can do and not what I
me for what I can do and not what I
me for what I can do and not what I cannot do and they decided to fight
cannot do and they decided to fight
cannot do and they decided to fight against society to give me a completely
against society to give me a completely
against society to give me a completely normal life my first few years were
normal life my first few years were
normal life my first few years were filled with operations injections and
filled with operations injections and
filled with operations injections and various tough decisions that my parents
various tough decisions that my parents
various tough decisions that my parents had to take and by the time I was around
had to take and by the time I was around
had to take and by the time I was around four years old it was finally time to
four years old it was finally time to
four years old it was finally time to send me to a normal school and there
send me to a normal school and there
send me to a normal school and there were a wide variety of people who told
were a wide variety of people who told
were a wide variety of people who told my parents that perhaps limpin should go
my parents that perhaps limpin should go
my parents that perhaps limpin should go to a special school for the disabled and
to a special school for the disabled and
to a special school for the disabled and not ready to a normal school because he
not ready to a normal school because he
not ready to a normal school because he is not normal but what my parents told
is not normal but what my parents told
is not normal but what my parents told everybody at that time and I think that
everybody at that time and I think that
everybody at that time and I think that said that to one for the rest of my life
said that to one for the rest of my life
said that to one for the rest of my life is that of course he’s normally just
is that of course he’s normally just
is that of course he’s normally just happens to have a disability and we
happens to have a disability and we
happens to have a disability and we don’t want to protect him by sending
don’t want to protect him by sending
don’t want to protect him by sending into sending him to a special school
into sending him to a special school
into sending him to a special school because eventually he has to face the
because eventually he has to face the
because eventually he has to face the normal challenges in life and I’m lucky
normal challenges in life and I’m lucky
normal challenges in life and I’m lucky that they thought that way and I think
that they thought that way and I think
that they thought that way and I think that was the second best decision they
that was the second best decision they
that was the second best decision they took in their life perhaps the decision
took in their life perhaps the decision
took in their life perhaps the decision of marrying each other was the best
of marrying each other was the best
of marrying each other was the best decision there were a wide variety of
decision there were a wide variety of
decision there were a wide variety of schools that rejected me that they went
schools that rejected me that they went
schools that rejected me that they went to around 20 schools that did not want
to around 20 schools that did not want
to around 20 schools that did not want to really give me admission before there
to really give me admission before there
to really give me admission before there was this one school that finally decided
was this one school that finally decided
was this one school that finally decided to enroll me and see me for my abilities
to enroll me and see me for my abilities
to enroll me and see me for my abilities and not my disabilities my school had a
and not my disabilities my school had a
and not my disabilities my school had a very big theater and I wanted to
very big theater and I wanted to
very big theater and I wanted to participate in plays and every year I
participate in plays and every year I
participate in plays and every year I used to lend up for auditions but the
used to lend up for auditions but the
used to lend up for auditions but the theater teacher was into
theater teacher was into
theater teacher was into short how-to ready enroll me in the play
short how-to ready enroll me in the play
short how-to ready enroll me in the play so the first year that I landed up she
so the first year that I landed up she
so the first year that I landed up she said no one’s watching we don’t really
said no one’s watching we don’t really
said no one’s watching we don’t really ever hold for you you will have to go
ever hold for you you will have to go
ever hold for you you will have to go back the second year I landed up again
back the second year I landed up again
back the second year I landed up again she again had to send me back because
she again had to send me back because
she again had to send me back because she noted he thought of something but
she noted he thought of something but
she noted he thought of something but the third day when I landed up she said
the third day when I landed up she said
the third day when I landed up she said oh wow and it would thank you for coming
oh wow and it would thank you for coming
oh wow and it would thank you for coming back he thought of a role for you you’re
back he thought of a role for you you’re
back he thought of a role for you you’re going to be on stage throne to play more
going to be on stage throne to play more
going to be on stage throne to play more than the needed actor and more than the
than the needed actor and more than the
than the needed actor and more than the deed actress I was of course thrilled I
deed actress I was of course thrilled I
deed actress I was of course thrilled I went back home and told everybody that
went back home and told everybody that
went back home and told everybody that I’ve got a great role I’m going to be in
I’ve got a great role I’m going to be in
I’ve got a great role I’m going to be in my school and in production the next day
my school and in production the next day
my school and in production the next day when I landed up I realized that I was a
when I landed up I realized that I was a
when I landed up I realized that I was a tree on the set of the play because the
tree on the set of the play because the
tree on the set of the play because the teachers thought that perhaps I’m very
teachers thought that perhaps I’m very
teachers thought that perhaps I’m very good at you know staying physically at
good at you know staying physically at
good at you know staying physically at one place so why not and I really
one place so why not and I really
one place so why not and I really enjoyed that experience and I think what
enjoyed that experience and I think what
enjoyed that experience and I think what that taught me is that in life you of
that taught me is that in life you of
that taught me is that in life you of course won’t always get what is ideal
course won’t always get what is ideal
course won’t always get what is ideal but I think you should make the most out
but I think you should make the most out
but I think you should make the most out of everything that you really can get
of everything that you really can get
of everything that you really can get and I think that’s about thinking
and I think that’s about thinking
and I think that’s about thinking outside out after my school I wanted to
outside out after my school I wanted to
outside out after my school I wanted to get into the best of institutions but
get into the best of institutions but
get into the best of institutions but most government colleges in this country
most government colleges in this country
most government colleges in this country warrant to the accessible and I went to
warrant to the accessible and I went to
warrant to the accessible and I went to a private college for a year which
a private college for a year which
a private college for a year which wasn’t which was accessible but it was
wasn’t which was accessible but it was
wasn’t which was accessible but it was in the best of education institutions to
in the best of education institutions to
in the best of education institutions to study ill and at a nice of together and
study ill and at a nice of together and
study ill and at a nice of together and I’m sorry for a scrap of paper and I
I’m sorry for a scrap of paper and I
I’m sorry for a scrap of paper and I decided to reapply to Delhi University
decided to reapply to Delhi University
decided to reapply to Delhi University and I remember to see and Steve in the
and I remember to see and Steve in the
and I remember to see and Steve in the interview were the principal actually
interview were the principal actually
interview were the principal actually told me nippon I love your CV but the
told me nippon I love your CV but the
told me nippon I love your CV but the economics possum has been on the first
economics possum has been on the first
economics possum has been on the first floor for around hundred and twenty-five
floor for around hundred and twenty-five
floor for around hundred and twenty-five years and we cannot shift it down for
years and we cannot shift it down for
years and we cannot shift it down for one person I said there are no problem I
one person I said there are no problem I
one person I said there are no problem I mean I’ll go up on third every day and
mean I’ll go up on third every day and
mean I’ll go up on third every day and for four days I actually took two
for four days I actually took two
for four days I actually took two weightlifters with me and climbed up one
weightlifters with me and climbed up one
weightlifters with me and climbed up one floor every day and finally did thanks
floor every day and finally did thanks
floor every day and finally did thanks to my persistence the college shifted
to my persistence the college shifted
to my persistence the college shifted economics classroom down and they also
economics classroom down and they also
economics classroom down and they also thought out of the box where they could
thought out of the box where they could
thought out of the box where they could not make the first floor accessible but
not make the first floor accessible but
not make the first floor accessible but they shifted economics from down which I
they shifted economics from down which I
they shifted economics from down which I think was great and I also became the
think was great and I also became the
think was great and I also became the founder of the Enabling committee in st.
founder of the Enabling committee in st.
founder of the Enabling committee in st. Stephen’s
Stephen’s
Stephen’s through which or st. Stephen’s became
through which or st. Stephen’s became
through which or st. Stephen’s became completely accessible during my time at
completely accessible during my time at
completely accessible during my time at college and now st. Stephen’s is one of
college and now st. Stephen’s is one of
college and now st. Stephen’s is one of the most accessible colleges in the
the most accessible colleges in the
the most accessible colleges in the country apart from that I made a lot of
country apart from that I made a lot of
country apart from that I made a lot of friends and Saints defense I was a
friends and Saints defense I was a
friends and Saints defense I was a founder of the Entrepreneurship cell and
founder of the Entrepreneurship cell and
founder of the Entrepreneurship cell and my life changed to a large extent when I
my life changed to a large extent when I
my life changed to a large extent when I was in st. Stephen’s but I still
was in st. Stephen’s but I still
was in st. Stephen’s but I still remember what other my third year at st.
remember what other my third year at st.
remember what other my third year at st. Stephen’s I decided to apply for dedi
Stephen’s I decided to apply for dedi
Stephen’s I decided to apply for dedi School of Economics for a master’s in
School of Economics for a master’s in
School of Economics for a master’s in economics and even though I was working
economics and even though I was working
economics and even though I was working hard for the end
hard for the end
hard for the end I heard some people whispering that is
I heard some people whispering that is
I heard some people whispering that is cut off physically challenged quote
cut off physically challenged quote
cut off physically challenged quote America and I wanted to prove them wrong
America and I wanted to prove them wrong
America and I wanted to prove them wrong and I locked myself into my room for a
and I locked myself into my room for a
and I locked myself into my room for a couple of months and longed hard and
couple of months and longed hard and
couple of months and longed hard and when the results came out I had scored a
when the results came out I had scored a
when the results came out I had scored a 52nd ranked nationwide and had actually
52nd ranked nationwide and had actually
52nd ranked nationwide and had actually defeated two friends of mine who were
defeated two friends of mine who were
defeated two friends of mine who were making those statements about me so I
making those statements about me so I
making those statements about me so I think that was a proud moment for me
think that was a proud moment for me
think that was a proud moment for me though Delhi School of Economics still
though Delhi School of Economics still
though Delhi School of Economics still ended up becoming a major turning point
ended up becoming a major turning point
ended up becoming a major turning point in my life because when I was in Delhi
in my life because when I was in Delhi
in my life because when I was in Delhi School of Economics I decided to sit for
School of Economics I decided to sit for
School of Economics I decided to sit for placements and when I sat for placements
placements and when I sat for placements
placements and when I sat for placements I saw the discrimination persons with
I saw the discrimination persons with
I saw the discrimination persons with disabilities face first and there’s this
disabilities face first and there’s this
disabilities face first and there’s this one company that rejected me because
one company that rejected me because
one company that rejected me because they wanted to see me sit sit on a
they wanted to see me sit sit on a
they wanted to see me sit sit on a wheelchair 48 other day they couldn’t
wheelchair 48 other day they couldn’t
wheelchair 48 other day they couldn’t believe I could do that and I refused to
believe I could do that and I refused to
believe I could do that and I refused to do that
do that
do that there’s a second that rejected me
there’s a second that rejected me
there’s a second that rejected me because they did not have a disabled
because they did not have a disabled
because they did not have a disabled friend he told it and that after going
friend he told it and that after going
friend he told it and that after going through 7 rounds of interviews with me
through 7 rounds of interviews with me
through 7 rounds of interviews with me and when I said that I it’s ok I can
and when I said that I it’s ok I can
and when I said that I it’s ok I can control my bladder they said no you
control my bladder they said no you
control my bladder they said no you might sue us tomorrow so I just say for
might sue us tomorrow so I just say for
might sue us tomorrow so I just say for not oh hi you and there was a third had
not oh hi you and there was a third had
not oh hi you and there was a third had actually asked me if I read a book with
actually asked me if I read a book with
actually asked me if I read a book with my life these are just three anecdotes
my life these are just three anecdotes
my life these are just three anecdotes of course I’m not going to go into many
of course I’m not going to go into many
of course I’m not going to go into many other many other of the dozens of
other many other of the dozens of
other many other of the dozens of interviews that I applied for but this
interviews that I applied for but this
interviews that I applied for but this of course was a real low point in my
of course was a real low point in my
of course was a real low point in my life I did not want to know what to do
life I did not want to know what to do
life I did not want to know what to do in life I almost started pending my
in life I almost started pending my
in life I almost started pending my obituary but and I locked myself in my
obituary but and I locked myself in my
obituary but and I locked myself in my room for one month I was under extreme
room for one month I was under extreme
room for one month I was under extreme depression but it’s then that I realize
depression but it’s then that I realize
depression but it’s then that I realize that I’ve been very lucky where my
that I’ve been very lucky where my
that I’ve been very lucky where my parents are gonna be so much and I can
parents are gonna be so much and I can
parents are gonna be so much and I can use that to transform the life of other
use that to transform the life of other
use that to transform the life of other people with disabilities rather than
people with disabilities rather than
people with disabilities rather than just you know give up at life and that’s
just you know give up at life and that’s
just you know give up at life and that’s when I started in the pen Foundation and
when I started in the pen Foundation and
when I started in the pen Foundation and instead of talking about really the
instead of talking about really the
instead of talking about really the initiatives that I have done in my
initiatives that I have done in my
initiatives that I have done in my foundation over the last six years which
foundation over the last six years which
foundation over the last six years which I’m sure you can you all can anybody
I’m sure you can you all can anybody
I’m sure you can you all can anybody don’t line and I will touch upon a bit
don’t line and I will touch upon a bit
don’t line and I will touch upon a bit through my framework I decided to
through my framework I decided to
through my framework I decided to concentrate on the three years as I call
concentrate on the three years as I call
concentrate on the three years as I call them which are the main challenges that
them which are the main challenges that
them which are the main challenges that persons with disabilities face and I
persons with disabilities face and I
persons with disabilities face and I think if these things are taken care of
think if these things are taken care of
think if these things are taken care of persons with disabilities can have a
persons with disabilities can have a
persons with disabilities can have a much more empowered life both in India
much more empowered life both in India
much more empowered life both in India and worldwide the first one today is the
and worldwide the first one today is the
and worldwide the first one today is the isn’t as a problem attitudes I think
isn’t as a problem attitudes I think
isn’t as a problem attitudes I think people with disabilities are not really
people with disabilities are not really
people with disabilities are not really treated as equal by others around them
treated as equal by others around them
treated as equal by others around them and in society we as people with
and in society we as people with
and in society we as people with disabilities do not really want
disabilities do not really want
disabilities do not really want sympathy nor we want to be treated with
sympathy nor we want to be treated with
sympathy nor we want to be treated with ignorance but we didn’t even empathy and
ignorance but we didn’t even empathy and
ignorance but we didn’t even empathy and we wanted to be treated as equals just
we wanted to be treated as equals just
we wanted to be treated as equals just like you would read anybody else I mean
like you would read anybody else I mean
like you would read anybody else I mean for for example a couple of years back I
for for example a couple of years back I
for for example a couple of years back I was actually denied entry by this
was actually denied entry by this
was actually denied entry by this particular restaurant because they said
particular restaurant because they said
particular restaurant because they said that as a policy we don’t allow people
that as a policy we don’t allow people
that as a policy we don’t allow people with disabilities inside it was of
with disabilities inside it was of
with disabilities inside it was of course an extremely shocking incident a
course an extremely shocking incident a
course an extremely shocking incident a particularly humiliating experience but
particularly humiliating experience but
particularly humiliating experience but when I sent out a tweet about it and a
when I sent out a tweet about it and a
when I sent out a tweet about it and a tweet went viral I was shocked to hear
tweet went viral I was shocked to hear
tweet went viral I was shocked to hear the similar stories that a lot of people
the similar stories that a lot of people
the similar stories that a lot of people with disabilities face where they’re not
with disabilities face where they’re not
with disabilities face where they’re not allowed to enter public spaces because
allowed to enter public spaces because
allowed to enter public spaces because people just don’t want to be around them
people just don’t want to be around them
people just don’t want to be around them even when they say enter a restaurant
even when they say enter a restaurant
even when they say enter a restaurant that often not offered a menu many
that often not offered a menu many
that often not offered a menu many families lock up the children with
families lock up the children with
families lock up the children with disabilities because there are social
disabilities because there are social
disabilities because there are social stigmas associated with them there many
stigmas associated with them there many
stigmas associated with them there many in India who actually believe that
in India who actually believe that
in India who actually believe that perhaps we don’t have I to Carmine
perhaps we don’t have I to Carmine
perhaps we don’t have I to Carmine Appice life that’s why we have a
Appice life that’s why we have a
Appice life that’s why we have a disabled child in a life today and just
disabled child in a life today and just
disabled child in a life today and just to give you a simple anecdote or the
to give you a simple anecdote or the
to give you a simple anecdote or the World Health Organization says that 15%
World Health Organization says that 15%
World Health Organization says that 15% of the world’s population is disabled
of the world’s population is disabled
of the world’s population is disabled but as for the official census in India
but as for the official census in India
but as for the official census in India only around 2.2 1 percent of India’s
only around 2.2 1 percent of India’s
only around 2.2 1 percent of India’s population is disabled I’m sure India’s
population is disabled I’m sure India’s
population is disabled I’m sure India’s not what the country of Superman where
not what the country of Superman where
not what the country of Superman where less disabled people are born it’s just
less disabled people are born it’s just
less disabled people are born it’s just that India doesn’t report it’s disabled
that India doesn’t report it’s disabled
that India doesn’t report it’s disabled population and that’s a lot because of
population and that’s a lot because of
population and that’s a lot because of how people with disabilities are treated
how people with disabilities are treated
how people with disabilities are treated in old families so I think in quality
in old families so I think in quality
in old families so I think in quality right really comes from home I was lucky
right really comes from home I was lucky
right really comes from home I was lucky that was born which give me the Braille
that was born which give me the Braille
that was born which give me the Braille parents but I saw discrimination first
parents but I saw discrimination first
parents but I saw discrimination first and to like that restaurant that I
and to like that restaurant that I
and to like that restaurant that I mentioned in my school life where I was
mentioned in my school life where I was
mentioned in my school life where I was not treated like an equal of actually it
not treated like an equal of actually it
not treated like an equal of actually it in a comic on that called no red card
in a comic on that called no red card
in a comic on that called no red card for the disabled a foundation as he’s on
for the disabled a foundation as he’s on
for the disabled a foundation as he’s on here the words lost him I saw for the
here the words lost him I saw for the
here the words lost him I saw for the partner we’re a recognized companies
partner we’re a recognized companies
partner we’re a recognized companies that employ people with disabilities you
that employ people with disabilities you
that employ people with disabilities you notice sir this photo of the Hajj on the
notice sir this photo of the Hajj on the
notice sir this photo of the Hajj on the slide here – and that’s because of a
slide here – and that’s because of a
slide here – and that’s because of a recent battle that 1/4 of the Government
recent battle that 1/4 of the Government
recent battle that 1/4 of the Government of India where the government of India
of India where the government of India
of India where the government of India despite the fact that the Hajj committee
despite the fact that the Hajj committee
despite the fact that the Hajj committee internationally allows people with
internationally allows people with
internationally allows people with disabilities to go for the Hajj the
disabilities to go for the Hajj the
disabilities to go for the Hajj the Indian government was not allowing them
Indian government was not allowing them
Indian government was not allowing them to go for a Hajj and I thought it was
to go for a Hajj and I thought it was
to go for a Hajj and I thought it was just an attitudinal barrier because Hajj
just an attitudinal barrier because Hajj
just an attitudinal barrier because Hajj has been made accessible and me and
has been made accessible and me and
has been made accessible and me and other members of the disabled community
other members of the disabled community
other members of the disabled community actually had to fight with the
actually had to fight with the
actually had to fight with the government to ensure that people with
government to ensure that people with
government to ensure that people with disabilities can go for the Hajj so
disabilities can go for the Hajj so
disabilities can go for the Hajj so these are daily battles that people with
these are daily battles that people with
these are daily battles that people with disabilities face and I think
disabilities face and I think
disabilities face and I think the attitude battle can be won I think
the attitude battle can be won I think
the attitude battle can be won I think people in disabilities can be much more
people in disabilities can be much more
people in disabilities can be much more empowered both in India and the rest of
empowered both in India and the rest of
empowered both in India and the rest of the world the second II that I’m really
the world the second II that I’m really
the world the second II that I’m really going to talk about is accessibility and
going to talk about is accessibility and
going to talk about is accessibility and again due to lack of time I’m not really
again due to lack of time I’m not really
again due to lack of time I’m not really going to go into detail about
going to go into detail about
going to go into detail about accessibility but I’m just going to try
accessibility but I’m just going to try
accessibility but I’m just going to try to explain what disability in my way is
to explain what disability in my way is
to explain what disability in my way is in my opinion that he is
in my opinion that he is
in my opinion that he is I believe the solution model of
I believe the solution model of
I believe the solution model of disability and the social mode of the
disability and the social mode of the
disability and the social mode of the disability and he says the dispute is
disability and he says the dispute is
disability and he says the dispute is not really a medical problem as such but
not really a medical problem as such but
not really a medical problem as such but it’s a social problem and the social
it’s a social problem and the social
it’s a social problem and the social problem basically means that disability
problem basically means that disability
problem basically means that disability exists due to the bad years that exist
exists due to the bad years that exist
exists due to the bad years that exist in society the barriers might be in
in society the barriers might be in
in society the barriers might be in terms of physical infrastructure they
terms of physical infrastructure they
terms of physical infrastructure they might be in terms of laws it might be in
might be in terms of laws it might be in
might be in terms of laws it might be in terms of policies and I think making
terms of policies and I think making
terms of policies and I think making physical infrastructure accessible is
physical infrastructure accessible is
physical infrastructure accessible is the first step towards making India an
the first step towards making India an
the first step towards making India an equal-opportunity country and I’ll give
equal-opportunity country and I’ll give
equal-opportunity country and I’ll give you a simple example just from this very
you a simple example just from this very
you a simple example just from this very room for that I can come here and speak
room for that I can come here and speak
room for that I can come here and speak just like any other TEDx speaker you’re
just like any other TEDx speaker you’re
just like any other TEDx speaker you’re on this stage because the organizers of
on this stage because the organizers of
on this stage because the organizers of TEDx chose to build a ramp through which
TEDx chose to build a ramp through which
TEDx chose to build a ramp through which I could come on stage if this ramp
I could come on stage if this ramp
I could come on stage if this ramp didn’t exist I would not have managed
didn’t exist I would not have managed
didn’t exist I would not have managed coming up on stage so this ramp actually
coming up on stage so this ramp actually
coming up on stage so this ramp actually makes me somebody who’s just equivalent
makes me somebody who’s just equivalent
makes me somebody who’s just equivalent to any other TEDx speaker who is on
to any other TEDx speaker who is on
to any other TEDx speaker who is on stage and I think that’s really what I’m
stage and I think that’s really what I’m
stage and I think that’s really what I’m trying to talk about through
trying to talk about through
trying to talk about through accessibility and I think the next slide
accessibility and I think the next slide
accessibility and I think the next slide has vanished so I’m not sure I pick
has vanished so I’m not sure I pick
has vanished so I’m not sure I pick knowledge is very accessible yo can
knowledge is very accessible yo can
knowledge is very accessible yo can somebody yeah thank you so talking about
somebody yeah thank you so talking about
somebody yeah thank you so talking about accessibility some of the things that
accessibility some of the things that
accessibility some of the things that we’ve done at a foundation are we well
we’ve done at a foundation are we well
we’ve done at a foundation are we well to make various events accessible like
to make various events accessible like
to make various events accessible like the J Poetry Festival the nh7 weekender
the J Poetry Festival the nh7 weekender
the J Poetry Festival the nh7 weekender the serendipity Arts Festival and one of
the serendipity Arts Festival and one of
the serendipity Arts Festival and one of our main reasons why we focus so much on
our main reasons why we focus so much on
our main reasons why we focus so much on accessible events is because we feel
accessible events is because we feel
accessible events is because we feel that a people who disabilities can come
that a people who disabilities can come
that a people who disabilities can come out and celebrate in the open and people
out and celebrate in the open and people
out and celebrate in the open and people realize that people disabilities who
realize that people disabilities who
realize that people disabilities who don’t just read I need the physiological
don’t just read I need the physiological
don’t just read I need the physiological needs but they complete individual who
needs but they complete individual who
needs but they complete individual who can enjoy life to working attitudes in
can enjoy life to working attitudes in
can enjoy life to working attitudes in society to will change but from that we
society to will change but from that we
society to will change but from that we are CI as accessibility partner and
are CI as accessibility partner and
are CI as accessibility partner and we’ve got a lot of access ordered so a
we’ve got a lot of access ordered so a
we’ve got a lot of access ordered so a lot of private sector companies and I
lot of private sector companies and I
lot of private sector companies and I guess I’m passionate about that because
guess I’m passionate about that because
guess I’m passionate about that because of the discrimination I faced first time
of the discrimination I faced first time
of the discrimination I faced first time when I was in Delhi School of Economics
when I was in Delhi School of Economics
when I was in Delhi School of Economics another cool thing I did and this and
another cool thing I did and this and
another cool thing I did and this and this particular thing that it that I did
this particular thing that it that I did
this particular thing that it that I did along with Zomato was immediately after
along with Zomato was immediately after
along with Zomato was immediately after that particular restaurant that I’d
that particular restaurant that I’d
that particular restaurant that I’d mentioned or you
mentioned or you
mentioned or you denied me entry today if you go on
denied me entry today if you go on
denied me entry today if you go on Zomato you can actually see a wheelchair
Zomato you can actually see a wheelchair
Zomato you can actually see a wheelchair access filter that identifies which
access filter that identifies which
access filter that identifies which restaurants are accessible and this is
restaurants are accessible and this is
restaurants are accessible and this is really done two things firstly you can
really done two things firstly you can
really done two things firstly you can identify of course physically which
identify of course physically which
identify of course physically which restaurants are accessible but secondly
restaurants are accessible but secondly
restaurants are accessible but secondly when restaurants are made to answer such
when restaurants are made to answer such
when restaurants are made to answer such questions they change their attitudes
questions they change their attitudes
questions they change their attitudes towards disability too because it
towards disability too because it
towards disability too because it incentivizes them to become accessible
incentivizes them to become accessible
incentivizes them to become accessible and they of course won’t deny entry to
and they of course won’t deny entry to
and they of course won’t deny entry to persons with disabilities other than
persons with disabilities other than
persons with disabilities other than that of course people disabilities
that of course people disabilities
that of course people disabilities continue facing with challenges in terms
continue facing with challenges in terms
continue facing with challenges in terms of accessibility lasted itself for five
of accessibility lasted itself for five
of accessibility lasted itself for five depierre against a Teddy government with
depierre against a Teddy government with
depierre against a Teddy government with the deadly comment decided to buy 2000
the deadly comment decided to buy 2000
the deadly comment decided to buy 2000 buses that are not accessible and
buses that are not accessible and
buses that are not accessible and doesn’t make sense why governments today
doesn’t make sense why governments today
doesn’t make sense why governments today would still continue to buy buses and
would still continue to buy buses and
would still continue to buy buses and invest in other infrastructure that is
invest in other infrastructure that is
invest in other infrastructure that is not accessible so that’s a challenge
not accessible so that’s a challenge
not accessible so that’s a challenge that continues to exist or did lack of
that continues to exist or did lack of
that continues to exist or did lack of time I’m going to go to the next slide
time I’m going to go to the next slide
time I’m going to go to the next slide and talk with dosti which is
and talk with dosti which is
and talk with dosti which is affordability or two years around the
affordability or two years around the
affordability or two years around the year year and a half back we started
year year and a half back we started
year year and a half back we started this campaign called wheels for life
this campaign called wheels for life
this campaign called wheels for life that connects people who need
that connects people who need
that connects people who need wheelchairs to people who can donate
wheelchairs to people who can donate
wheelchairs to people who can donate wheelchairs because what I realize is
wheelchairs because what I realize is
wheelchairs because what I realize is that the cost of living with the
that the cost of living with the
that the cost of living with the disability especially in a country like
disability especially in a country like
disability especially in a country like India so high because firstly you need
India so high because firstly you need
India so high because firstly you need your normal transport is not accessible
your normal transport is not accessible
your normal transport is not accessible so you need to make h2 provisions you
so you need to make h2 provisions you
so you need to make h2 provisions you don’t have easy access to attendants and
don’t have easy access to attendants and
don’t have easy access to attendants and caretakers and something as simple as a
caretakers and something as simple as a
caretakers and something as simple as a wheel check under the transformer life
wheel check under the transformer life
wheel check under the transformer life too and that’s why I started this
too and that’s why I started this
too and that’s why I started this platform that connects anybody who needs
platform that connects anybody who needs
platform that connects anybody who needs wheelchair to somebody who anybody who
wheelchair to somebody who anybody who
wheelchair to somebody who anybody who can donate a wheelchair and it’s called
can donate a wheelchair and it’s called
can donate a wheelchair and it’s called a bit of you w dot fields for life
a bit of you w dot fields for life
a bit of you w dot fields for life rotate I would have urge all of you to
rotate I would have urge all of you to
rotate I would have urge all of you to go online on it and check it out
go online on it and check it out
go online on it and check it out and through wheels for life with us one
and through wheels for life with us one
and through wheels for life with us one year we’ve impacted close to 800 lives
year we’ve impacted close to 800 lives
year we’ve impacted close to 800 lives we’re through a simple wheelchair there
we’re through a simple wheelchair there
we’re through a simple wheelchair there are people who manage going back to
are people who manage going back to
are people who manage going back to school there are adults who manage
school there are adults who manage
school there are adults who manage taking up jobs in becoming economically
taking up jobs in becoming economically
taking up jobs in becoming economically self-sufficient and wheelchair cost is
self-sufficient and wheelchair cost is
self-sufficient and wheelchair cost is five thousand rupees I’m sure a lot of
five thousand rupees I’m sure a lot of
five thousand rupees I’m sure a lot of us just spend that amount of money on a
us just spend that amount of money on a
us just spend that amount of money on a meal at a five-star or on perhaps a pair
meal at a five-star or on perhaps a pair
meal at a five-star or on perhaps a pair of jeans or something that we like but
of jeans or something that we like but
of jeans or something that we like but something as simple as a disability aid
something as simple as a disability aid
something as simple as a disability aid you can transform somebody’s life and
you can transform somebody’s life and
you can transform somebody’s life and when I was doing this I was shocked to
when I was doing this I was shocked to
when I was doing this I was shocked to hear that the government on the other
hear that the government on the other
hear that the government on the other hand
hand
hand when GST was introduced started taxing
when GST was introduced started taxing
when GST was introduced started taxing disability aids disability aids like
disability aids disability aids like
disability aids disability aids like hearing hearing aids various Braille
hearing hearing aids various Braille
hearing hearing aids various Braille accessories wheelchairs etc and I do
accessories wheelchairs etc and I do
accessories wheelchairs etc and I do think that a GST on such disability AIDS
think that a GST on such disability AIDS
think that a GST on such disability AIDS is a Rainier tax on somebody walking
is a Rainier tax on somebody walking
is a Rainier tax on somebody walking seeing or this thing and I decided to
seeing or this thing and I decided to
seeing or this thing and I decided to fire the PIL against the comment on this
fire the PIL against the comment on this
fire the PIL against the comment on this that case is still going on in court
that case is still going on in court
that case is still going on in court but these are just two examples and
but these are just two examples and
but these are just two examples and these are two examples on the slide
these are two examples on the slide
these are two examples on the slide because I am posting holdin them but
because I am posting holdin them but
because I am posting holdin them but affordability is a major challenge for
affordability is a major challenge for
affordability is a major challenge for persons with disabilities in India and I
persons with disabilities in India and I
persons with disabilities in India and I just mentioned two other things in terms
just mentioned two other things in terms
just mentioned two other things in terms of attendance and transportation but you
of attendance and transportation but you
of attendance and transportation but you can see that everywhere because physical
can see that everywhere because physical
can see that everywhere because physical infrastructure itself is not accessible
infrastructure itself is not accessible
infrastructure itself is not accessible so you have fewer options for example
so you have fewer options for example
so you have fewer options for example when I travel out of town I actually
when I travel out of town I actually
when I travel out of town I actually need to I mean I’m sure a lot of my
need to I mean I’m sure a lot of my
need to I mean I’m sure a lot of my friends would look at pricing of hotels
friends would look at pricing of hotels
friends would look at pricing of hotels first and choose whatever the most
first and choose whatever the most
first and choose whatever the most affordable but for me
affordable but for me
affordable but for me that does not even become a factor that
that does not even become a factor that
that does not even become a factor that gets into consideration because I need
gets into consideration because I need
gets into consideration because I need to look at which hotel is accessible
to look at which hotel is accessible
to look at which hotel is accessible when I go to a movie hall I need to look
when I go to a movie hall I need to look
when I go to a movie hall I need to look at which sea it is accessible it might
at which sea it is accessible it might
at which sea it is accessible it might not and it might be the most expensive
not and it might be the most expensive
not and it might be the most expensive seat but I don’t really have a choice
seat but I don’t really have a choice
seat but I don’t really have a choice and those are the challenges vs persons
and those are the challenges vs persons
and those are the challenges vs persons with disabilities often face so I think
with disabilities often face so I think
with disabilities often face so I think if you if you can support the problems
if you if you can support the problems
if you if you can support the problems on attitudes accessibility and
on attitudes accessibility and
on attitudes accessibility and affordability India will become a much
affordability India will become a much
affordability India will become a much more equal opportunity country and
more equal opportunity country and
more equal opportunity country and people who disagree they will move from
people who disagree they will move from
people who disagree they will move from outside out to inside it thank you
outside out to inside it thank you
outside out to inside it thank you [Applause]
”
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