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Success & ABILITY India’s Cross-disability Magazine

October- December 2010 Rs. 30

Celebrating the SPIRIT OF INCLUSION fOR 15 YEARS Smitten Ad Editor: Jayshree Raveendran Deputy Editor: Janaki Pillai Contents Managing Editors: Latha Venkateshwaran Associate Editors: Swathi Gopalakrishnan 17 Events: Shashwathi Sandeep Swathi Gopalakrishnan walks us through the Valsala Menon Senior Designers: RG Kishore Kumar 6th edition of EmployABILITY. ILLUSTRATION:Prabhakar 19 Awareness: Executive Members: Mr.C.K.Ranganathan, Ms.Leela Swamy, Ms.Revathy, Mr. S.Krishnaswamy, Ms. Jayshree Raveendran (Child at the Centre of Education): Gayatri Correspondents: Kiran on the need for child-centric education. India: Bangalore: 22 Caring Concern: Gayatri Kiran Ph: 09844525045 Priti Kataria gives us a peek into what makes Ali Khwaja Ph: 080 233302000 New Delhi: Wipro tick as an equal opportunity employer. Vasantha Patri Ph. 011 23382652 35 Future Trend: J.K.Mehta Ph: 0124 2572612 Navin Gulia Ph: 0124 2307931 Ketna Mehta unveils an emerging trend in Bhubaneshwar: marketing that could hit the spot with the Dr. Sruti Mohapatra Ph: 0674 2313311 disability sector. Bhopal: Anil Mudgal Ph: 0755 2589168 36 Spotlight : KATHUA (J&K) Manbir Sambyal Ph: 233914 Varun Jain is an outdoors enthusiast with a ANANTNAG (J&K) difference. Vaishanavi Venkatesh tells us why. Javed Ahmad Tak Ph: 01936 211363 USA Malathi Rajagopal 10247, Fairway Drive, Ellicot City, MD 21042 Anindya Bhattacharyya Helen Keller National Center, Sands Point, NY 11050 …………………………………………………………. PUBLISHERS: Ability Foundation EDITORIAL OFFICE: New no. 4, Old no. 23, 3rd Cross Street, Radhakrishnan Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041, India. Tel/Fax: 91 44 2452 0016 / 2440 1303 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.abilityfoundation.org

Published by Jayshree Raveendran on behalf of Ability Foundation, 27 Fourth Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai 600 020. Ph: 91 44 2452 0016 Printed at Rathna Offset Printers, 40 Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. Tel: 91 44 2813 2790 / 2813 1232 …………………………………………………………... Rights and Permissions: No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of Ability Foundation. Ability Foundation reserves the right to make any changes or corrections without changing the meaning, to submitted articles, as it sees fit and in order to uphold the standard of the magazine. The views expressed are, however, solely those of the authors. 38 Ponderings:Hari Adarsh Sripathi on handling the Chicago cold 39 Necessities :A review of the status of accessibility in India today, by Vikas Sharma and Shivani Gupta. 42 Book Review :Gayatri Kiran makes a case for genre-bending Outliers and Don't Sprint the Marathon. 46 Making a Difference :Six dear friends pay tribute to the things that most enhanced their lives. 53 Role Models:Barsha and Sayomdeb share their life experiences and hopes for the future. 57 Exploratours:Vaishnavi Venkatesh on PAGIR and their unique accessible tourism venture in remote Leh. 60 Institution :Valsala Menon introduces us to Shishu Sarothi, a premier rehabilitation institute in the Northeast. 64 Alternatives:Komal Palicha on the therapeutic merits of benign canines. 68 Fashion:Puja Subramaniam on how to meld style with convenience. 71 Savoir Faire:Dr. Vasantha Patri discusses the causes and signs of communication difficulties among children. 74 Globe Trotting:Hari Adarsh Sripathi wafts us through the sensual pleasures of Morocco. 78 Short Story :Timeri N Murari on the day nimble-fingered Kant met his match. 82 Reflections :Sai Prasad Vishwanathan recounts how the wisdom of his heart prevailed over his mind to view “love and regret” in a whole new light. 86 Smile a While:Ranjitha Ashok's survival kit for Chennai roads. Kesar Gift Mart Ad Our Trustees write... 15 years down the lane, I am still honoured to be a part of something so empathetic and so vibrant. I am humbled by the experience and the assoc iation itself. It's a nostalgic feeling, when I think about where it all began and how much we have accomplished. I think about the lives of people that have changed, grown and bettered over the years. So many people have looked beyond the disability and have broken down the walls that prevented them from making their dreams come true. When it began, I remember, Ability Foundation began with the magazine alone. Today it has surpassed so much and grown to the extent of touching so many lives. Ms. Jayshree Raveendran, through her commitment has ensured the happiness of hundreds. She, along with Ms.Janaki Pillai, and Ms. Bharathi Sekhar form the pillars of the organisation and through their leadership have brought the Foundation has marched forward by leaps and bounds. Jayshree herself has grown to become one of the leading activists and is a member of the drafting committee that is drafting the new law for people with disabilities in India. I am very proud that she has been able to bring Ability to such a height where it has become a national phenomenon. Something she has been able to do purely because of her dedication and her level of understanding .From the magazine to the Cavinkare Ability Awards, to the Abilityfest and EmployAbility, the Foundation has emerged as something that people all over the country applaud and await. It is always a wonderful feeling to see so many happy faces and know that the strength to do something is in us all. “We are all like tea bags; we never really know our strength unless we are put in hot water” - C.K.Ranganathan ------As years pass by, one does not realise the growth of an organisation until people around associate you with it and talk how it has touched their lives.My association with Ability Foundation initially started as a one time commitment as a dancer for a programme called 'Sangamam', an until then, unheard of integrated dance performance and very soon to ‘Samara’ that same year which was integration through the would of fashions. And then the cause and the people, and then it was only Jayshree, drew me into it slowly. ‘Sangaman’ itself was an eye opener to me, performing with Busse Gowda and Guru Prasad, two blind dancers from Bangalore, Jayshree and Vineeth. It was during the rehearsals, I realised that when dance which is considered a visual art is possible with the boys who are blind and Jayshree with her hearing impairment, why not others. It is only the lack of opportunity and the conservative outlook of people that has decided what people with disabilities can do and cannot do. My understanding of disability has grown since then with the growth of Ability Foundation in a very organic way. Ability Foundation taught me that 'disability' does not mean just fund raising events to help people with disabilities economically and to showcase them on stage with mediocre programmes, but to find people who have excelled in art forms or other fields and give them an opportunity to express their talents without focusing on the disability. Ability Foundation taught me to look beyond disabilities and focus on the person and his/her need to live a dignified life. This is a plain and simple right of every human being: to get the education one desires, to get a job that one is capable of and to access entertainment when there is so much choice all around for everybody else. All this requires just a little effort, by thinking of disability as one more aspect of a human being that society needs to be look into when we think about development in different fields. People with disabilities have found their voice with the 'Success and Ability' magazine and this is definitely an achievement that Ability Foundation can be proud of. The 'Cavin Kare Ability awards' have created a platform for achievers to be recognised beyond their disabilities in their respective fields and this also helps people not to underestimate a person with disability and decide what one can do or cannot do. The Job Fair organised by Ability Foundation has found jobs for people with disabilities to work in various fields according to their education and capability. 'Abilitfest', a film festival that is organised every alternate year, has shown the society the perspective of different countries in the world towards disability. All this is done with a very clear agenda of getting our society to understand people with disabilities and their rights as human beings. All these are very significant steps by Ability Foundation towards a better society and I feel privileged to be part of this Foundation.I hope that with all these efforts, one day the Foundation will not be needed to 'fight' for the rights of people with disabilities so that our society will, by itself, create a world where all people have equal rights and opportunities. This is our dream at Ability Foundation. - Revathy From The Editor’s Desk Friends, I am elated to place before you, the 15th anniversary issue of “Success & ABILITY”. The magazine and the Foundation began simultaneously 15 years ago. Beginning at a time when disability was looked at as an aberration to the “normal”, we are thrilled to have been instrumental in taking that difficult first step towards changing stereotypes and focusing on potentials rather than problems. “Success & ABILITY” began as the one all important activity of the Foundation, but we soon evolved to a myriad of activities , each one of them reflecting our goal of total inclusion, and as diverse as life itself – education, employment, recreation, culture, policy or legislation. Each one of them, pioneering. Taking that difficult first step has become a norm with us! Notwithstanding this, no matter what other activity we chose to undertake, for us however, it is always “Success & ABILITY” that is our pet project… the “apple of our eyes`”, so to speak. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that exacting standards are met, not compromising on the quality of the magazine, insofar as content as well as production are concerned. When we brought out the magazine in audio format, so many visually impaired persons wrote to say they had enjoyed “reading the magazine from cover to cover.” The right to make one's own choices in life and the opportunities to do so has always been very important to us. Thus, while today everyone speaks of a right based approach, advocating inclusion and equal opportunities in all spheres, for us at Ability Foundation, there is a sense of déjà vu in this. Our vision statement made 15 years ago reads… “a society that walks hand-in-hand, works shoulder-to- shoulder, and where help is given as a matter of course out of empathy, not sympathy”. Today, we work towards this same vision… only now, the horizons are more visible. So here is the 15th anniversary bumper issue of “Success & ABILITY” that I hope you'll enjoy reading and derive benefit from as well. At the end of the day, “Success & ABILITY” is your voice… the voice of India's disability sector. So do write to us… let's come together… towards common goals. I do believe that India's disability sector is today, on the threshold of a bright future. Cheers to that! Happy New Year! Jayshree Raveendran [email protected] TEAM ABILITY Jayshree Raveendran S Krishnaswamy Leela Swamy Janaki Pillai Bharathi Sekhar Rajeshwary Vinodh Valsala Menon Radhika Rammoorthy Pavithra Parandhaman Kishore Kumar Latha Venketeshwaran Balaji Sriraman Shashwathi Sandeep Tasleem Sultana COVER FEATURE A Dream within a dream… - PRATIMA SUNDARARAJAN This day, that age! Year 1995 to 2010. A little more than fifteen years ago, perhaps. Indian society was absorbed in a world that was entirely centered around “normal” or “able” people, whose complacency left no window for empathy for a conspicuous minority of persons with disabilities. Failing to recognise that these “other” people were able too and were entitled to the same rights and privileges enjoyed by the majority. Even in the era of enlightenment, “disabled” people were branded as products of misdeeds of a previous birth and kept away from public gaze by bashful parents and relatives, often evoking sly whispers. A common reaction was avoidance or revulsion and the dominant sentiment, if any, was that of pity. The celluloid, still in the grip of the money-churning potboiler formulae, portrayed them not for what they were, but as aberrations used for comic or tragic diversion. Mainstream educational institutions fought shy of giving them their rightful place, compelling even the best of “them” to opt for special schools or homes, especially meant for them. Even though some did manage to gain professional qualifications against all odds, would-be employers closed their doors on them. Just a fleeting reference, if any, was made to disability rights in the laws of the country. Even among the disabled community, a cross disability culture was conspicuously absent. The blind for the blind, deaf for the deaf and so on. The worlds of the disabled and non-disabled were, by and large, like two independent non interactive worlds. In the midst of this social smog that made life look bleak for disabled people, one person, Jayshree Raveendran, dared to dream of an inclusive society. A society where people with and without disabilities could walk hand in hand, work shoulder to shoulder, where all could laugh and play as one, where equal opportunities

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 15 COVER FEATURE prevailed in every sphere of life, be it education, employment, culture or recreation. To make it happen seemed a precipitous task, but the dream was too beautiful and plausible to ignore. So began the adventurous and arduous uphill trek accompanied by all its trials and tribulations. The first thought towards this was a tool to change mindsets of people at large… what better line of approach than a magazine focusing on disabled people? In an era of veritable media explosion… where there are magazines on every subject under the sun: sports, women, children, politics, gardening, interiors, business… why not one focusing on disabled people? Thus was born the magazine Success & ABILITY. The first issue, dated Oct-Dec 1995, was launched by former President of India, the late Sri. R. Venkatraman, at a seminar organised by Smt. Meena Dhadha of Mukti. In the editorial of the inaugural issue, Jayshree wrote, “ If you are wondering what ABILITY is all about, please be with me and read along… ABILITY is a magazine focusing on disabled people. For them. And for those who care for them… Disabilities have been around us from time immemorial. Every family has some disabled members, if not the immediate family circle, then in broader circles… Society has singularly missed out on understanding and utilising the abilities of such people, typecasting them as handicapped and feeling embarrassed every time they have had to deal with them… Another important angle to this magazine is disabled people themselves who have fallen into a trap and are hopelessly conditioned by their social circles, as to what they can and cannot do… By bringing into focus, the success stories of people with similar or more severe problems, they can be motivated to do likewise. And this, in turn will surely incite them to stand up for their rights… ABILITY will thus be the bridge between the separate worlds of the disabled and the non-disabled people. By portraying the disabled in a different light, ABILITY hopes to induce a positive reaction and promote an attitudinal change, elicit an active and meaningful participation and stress on the co- operative partnership of both sectors in all walks of life. And by stressing on feelings, rather than statistics, it aims at the recognition of the disabled as individuals with distinct abilities and thus change society's perception of people with disabilities.” Then again, reliving the launch, wrote Jayshree in the editorial of the 10th anniversary issue: “I was at the venue. The seminar had begun. I was to speak maybe an hour later…and the magazine had not arrived from the press! Would you blame me if I say I was frantic? You'd have been too, were you in my place! 'Pray, pray, pray', I said to myself! That was all I could do anyway! Just about 10 minutes before I was to stand at the podium…there they came, hot from the press!” That is how India's first cross-disability magazine made its dramatic entry, waking up the world to the reality of disabled people, neglected for so long! Along with Success & ABILITY, came into being, Ability Foundation, India's cross disability umbrella organisation! Success & ABILITY perhaps did not hit the stands, as they say. It just made a mark, a deep impression on the many who laid COVER FEATURE their hands on it. “Believe in yourself and the world will do the same,” was the message sought to be spread to every disabled person lodged in every nook and cranny of the country. “Being disabled is nothing to be ashamed of. It's natural to be disabled. Be proud of yourself. You are what you are”. To inspire, inform and interest was the mantra. A whole gamut of topics like law, access, employment, personalities, disabled achievers, rights, inclusive society, milestones, path breaking events, sports, movies, book reviews, technology, flipsides and much, much more besides, made every single issue of Success & ABILITY a veritable collector's item. As the readership grew, I got in as part of the editorial team, and I can well say that we were flooded with phone calls if a copy did not reach a subscriber on time. “I have not received my copy of the Jan-March” or “I'm awaiting the Jul-Sep issue of Success & ABILITY,” they would say. “When is the next issue of the magazine due?” they began demanding. “I loved this feature,” someone else would compliment. It was heartening to get such positive response and at the same time, it kept us on our toes trying to make each issue more and more exclusive. It was challenging and at the same time, great fun, filling us with a sense of accomplishment every time an issue got ready to be dispatched to our impatient readers! Success & ABILITY was only the start of a glorious and long journey. Our initial perceived destination seemed only to keep receding every time we took a step ahead; and as time passed, these destinations became mere milestones for a much greater quest: plugging the gap between the worlds of disabled and non-disabled people, fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities, and helping them discover their rightful place as equal members in life's mission… There was much to be done. Jayshree had embarked on this journey alone for the first three years, but was soon joined by Janaki Pillai, the first in a succession of new family members, who has been there through thick and thin. Ever since, the Ability entourage has grown, with others joining in to form a passionate team and bring in new laurels for the Foundation. An offshoot of the print magazine was Success & ABILITY audio magazine. To give voice meant taking the philosophy of the Foundation to visually impaired persons. The audio magazine was perhaps the first of its kind in the country. Several like-minded people came forward to lend their voices to the written word. Beginning as an audio cassette, it is today released in MP3 format. With the “Persons with Disabilities Act” passed in Parliament, dissemination of

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 17 COVER FEATURE information on disability rights and entitlements across the country, became a need. Access to information on rights and entitlements was vital and as we explored more and more avenues to make it possible, the idea of a radio programme fell into place. As we perceive it, media is a compelling tool for transformation and the potential of the radio in particular, to reach out to India's millions is tremendous. Thus our foray into this mass media began with the pioneering radio programme, “Thiramayyin Thisayil”, (In the direction of your abilities), which was launched as a joint production with All India Radio, Chennai. As the first of its kind, the programme became a runaway hit and was unstoppable for nearly five years. Professionals from various walks shared information on disability laws, rights, job opportunities, latest medical facilities, technology… Letters poured in from several listeners, both disabled and non-disabled, all wanting to know more. There were also some, who said that they had walked five miles from their village to the nearest telephone booth, just to make a phone call, to tell us how motivating and hopeful our programme had been! To make this kind of impact on lives, is to us, what life itself, is all about. Well now…what of other forms of media? What about the power of cinema? Movies are a big draw for people from all walks of life, and the lure of cinema with its bugle call of “Lights, Camera, Action!” was inescapable. Yes, cinema came a-calling and this meant showtime for Ability Foundation. Recognising the power of cinema, the Foundation organised the first AbilityFest : India International Disability Film Festival, in July 2005. This proved to be a novel as well as influential platform of sensitisation on disability issues. AbilityFest is now a recognised international biannual event that showcases beautiful films from across the globe, for, by, and about people with disabilities that has been conducted thrice until now, with the next one due in 2011. In 2005, as part of the Film Festival was organized “Sound of Silence”, screening award winning silent films to celebrate the International Deaf Awareness Week that year. AbilityFest, is today globally recognised COVER FEATURE as India's international disability film festival that showcases some great films from around the world and also latently focuses on the right to access. Access to the world of cinema: right from accessible cinema halls to the total comprehension of the movies themselves through closed captioning (for hearing impaired), audio description (for visually impaired) and ramps at every entrance for wheelchair users. It was beautiful for us to watch hearing impaired people animatedly discuss the films screened, in sign language. Every film portrayed inclusion and acceptance. Jumping over Puddles Again, The Colour of Paradise, The Enigma of Kasper Hauser were among the many films screened. “A celebration of celluloid” which is the tagline for AbilityFest is truly a dedication to the glorious diversity of human kind. The highlight of the every AbilityFest, is the “60 Seconds to Fame” film competition… which harnesses the creativity of every concerned and caring citizen. It has always been our intent at Ability Foundation to inculcate ideas of inclusion in people's minds. The contest had young minds narrating their perceptions of inclusion in just sixty seconds. The winners of the competition are selected by stalwarts from the film industry and discerning film buffs amidst persons with disabilities… an inclusive jury where sensitisation happens right there, during the selection process. It would thus be no exaggeration to say that there is much food for thought for all the noted jurists - Jaya Bachchan, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Nandita Das, Mani Ratnam, Rajiv Menon and Govind Nihalani to name a few. In between all this took place our integrated cultural shows. Whoever had heard of people with and without disabilities

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 19 COVER FEATURE performing professionally together on stage and on equal footing as equally talented artists? This, way back in 1997… that was when we organised Sangamam: integration through the medium classical dance, performed in the best manner possible by talented professionals with and without disabilities, followed by Samara, that same year, which was an integration through the world of fashions and beauty, showcasing the top designer garments of the day, with Aishwarya Rai and Miss Indias and other professional models and persons with disabilities… all beautiful people… stunning the packed hall, making everyone sit up and think … “ could disabled people really look so beautiful? Where had they been all this time?” Then came Samhita: our integrated art show, where celebrated artists like Arpana Caur, Vrindavan Solanki, Jatin Das, S. G. Vasudev, S. Nandagopal, amidst other renowned artists, along with professional artists with disabilities like Prabha Shah, Radhika Chand, Sheela, T. Ganesh Kumar and many others, exhibited their exquisite works of art, with no one being the wiser as to which piece of art was by a celebrated artist they knew and which by a disabled person. Not content with merely showcasing talent, we wanted to make the audience think further by witnessing art happening… right under their eyes… underlining the fact that talent transcends disability. Thus the highlight of Samhita was an hour long vibrant music programme wherein renowned artist Tharani and prominent disabled artist Sheela created magic by painting to the mood to the music… albeit one with the brush strokes of the hand and the other of the foot. Sangamam, Samara, Samhita - different words that convey the same meaning: “coming together”, “a confluence”. Today, when we see several hour-long television shows featuring people with disabilities, we are really proud of having taken that difficult first step. Parallel to this, our journey has seen the conduct of other need-based activities for India's disability sector… national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, advocacy measures, activism, networking, census operations, public COVER FEATURE awareness campaigns, crusades, battles, access audits, mass media awareness programmes, the cry for equality and equity… all towards facilitating change, which were, at that time, new beginnings but today, regular and accepted events towards the goals of the disability sector. Our canvas is life itself. The routes to this goal are many. Life hands us many things, some good and some not-so-good. But ultimately, we all seek to make our lives as pleasant as possible. Which is what life is all about anyway. Thus, be it education or employment or culture or recreation, a whole human being needs to live a whole life – as a person first – disabled or non- disabled only next. No matter who we are, we are all members of community, citizens of the country. Inclusion in every aspect is ours as a matter of right. Education has to become inclusive as well as accessible. The opportunities have to be made available in the manner that they can be utilized best. Following this, is equitable employment opportunities. We believed then, as we do now, that persons with disabilities add value to the workforce, as would anyone with adequate skills and qualifications, and that hiring persons with disabilities would therefore make good business sense. Once an enabling environment is provided at workplace, the disability per se, becomes secondary. On the other side of the fence, we also recognized that the conventional training that was being meted out to people with disabilities, had little connect with current market needs, resulting in relatively poor impact on employment. Clearly, we needed to address specific skills and prepare candidates for employment in the corporate arena. A major step taken in this direction was our National Centre for Information and Communication Technology (NCICT). The primary object of the Centre was to pave the way for greater employment opportunities for qualified disabled persons by providing the soft skills and expertise that would enable them to tackle challengers better. Our concerned efforts to gain employment for qualified disabled persons through our Placement Wing sprang from our own experience. On the one hand, disabled people were

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 21 COVER FEATURE now working hard to qualify themselves in accordance with market needs. On the other, employers too were increasingly recognizing the value of diversity in their organisations. These efforts towards equitable employment culminated in the first of successive editions of EmployAbility, conducted at Chennai in December 2004, bringing together qualified people with disabilities and informed corporates. Disabled people came in large numbers from far and wide, with certificates boasting of merit. A sizeable percentage went back home with jobs in hand. The effort has been a continuous one, with a new edition of EmployAbility being organised every year. It is testimony to the success of this event that similar exercises are being undertaken in different parts of the country. It seems that a truly inclusive workplace and equal opportunity employment everywhere will be a reality in the not too distant future. Circa 2002. With so many doers among people with disabilities… professionals, sportspersons, dancers, singers, artists, social entrepreneurs... each one topping the chart in his or her own right, we strongly felt the need to recognise the many achievers among them. Those who had made it to the top against all odds; high fliers who just had to be applauded. CavinKare - a leading FMCG giant - enthusiastically came forward to join hands with us to make the Awards a reality. Thus was instituted the CavinKare Ability Awards in 2003 - one for Eminence and two for Mastery to be presented annually - to celebrate and honour achievers with disability. It was a new experience for us and it thrilled us to encounter the myriad talents prevalent among persons with disabilities. Bringing them to the fore amidst all the richly deserved glitz and glamour was exhilarating. The recipients were selected by a COVER FEATURE distinguished jury. It was a proud moment for us when the recipients of 2003, Naseema Hurzuk (Eminence) and Buse Gowda and Pradip Sinha (Mastery) came on stage to receive their awards. Pradip Sinha was in fact, the first deafblind every, to win an award. “Winners don't do different things. They do things differently”, said Buse Gowda, quoting the management guru Shiv Khera. The CavinKare Ability Awards have, to date, literally dug up many other such achievers year after year. Today, we march towards the 9th year of the Awards. What else do we do… the fully functional Braille Press at Ability Foundation translates volumes of print material to Braille. The Legal Assistance Wing (LAW) works towards offering counseling, referral services and is involved in disability policy. Our twin policies of inclusion and integration have always been reflected in all our work and activities. Amidst all this, we have scarcely noticed fifteen glorious years glide past. Starting from the magazine and being a one-woman army, the journey has been a roller coaster ride. Yet... the end is nowhere near… we have “miles to go before we sleep”. However, today as we pause briefly, to celebrate our journey, look back with some wonder and look forward with anticipation, we know that our journey will continue… with all its accompanying trials, tribulations and triumphs. The journey is, after all, our destination… So now, on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of Ability Foundation, this fifteenth anniversary issue of “ Success & ABILITY” is now in your hands..caringly put together as always…for your information, interest and inspiration…

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 23 GRUNDFOS AD EVENTS EMPLOYABILITY 2010 - SWATHI GOPALAKRISHNAN EmployAbility 2010 was presented by Ability Foundation on August 6 and 7, 2010, in partnership with Lions Club of Padi Shenoynagar and Naukri.com. This job fair spanned two days in two venues; the pre-interview screening took place on day one and the corporate interviews took place on day two. This was the 6th edition of our job opportunities fair. Fifty three companies representing nearly every segment of the industry - IT and ITES, advertising, logistics, consultancy, retail, pharmaceuticals, training, manufacturing, banking, textiles, real estate, hospitality, e-learning, e- publishing and telecommunications, to name just a few, participated. The agenda for Day 1 was general orientation, parent/attendant counseling and screening tests. Following this, was an orientation seminar for candidates conducted by expert HR personnel. Written tests were also administered at different levels for those companies who requested these. Selected candidates were to appear for interviews the following day. The morning of Day 2, was abuzz with an air of expected anticipation and excitement writ large on the faces of the candidates who had arrived from across 21 states of India. A small army of volunteers and organisers were deployed across the venue to direct, instruct and escort the attendees. Judging by the relative length of queues forming outside certain stalls, real estate, finance and IT companies seemed the biggest draw and the biggest bidders among all the participating companies. Notwithstanding the apparent favouritism, every square inch of the large hall and every single stall was filled. It was both an awe-inspiring and gratifying sight that signaled the decided egress of the deplorable charity model and the welcome ingress of rightful

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 25 participation and healthy merit-based competition. It seemed that while the candidates vied with each other for suitable vocations, companies wrangled with a surfeit of qualified candidates. Observing and interacting with candidates, especially after they had faced their interviews was a fascinating exercise that threw up several surprises. Mr. Lokeswar Rao from Eluru, beaming from his wheelchair and happy to oblige with a post-interview chat, was all praise for the job fair. When quizzed about the likely outcome, he was a bit worried that lack of experience could be a stumbling block but nevertheless added that he was grateful for the opportunity presented. He said that these were his “first corporate interviews” and that he now felt more confident and hopeful about his future. Some others like Haripriya, who had attended EmployAbility on earlier occasions, said they were back to improve their job prospects and seek better jobs. Prema, a young woman from Madurai who had moved out of her familial cocoon to seek employment, had made her home in the city of Chennai. When she explained with cool assurance what she had set out to do and how she planned to achieve it, even the most powerful Powerpoint presentation would seem jaded. Her cool determination belied the struggles that fraught her journey, something she mentioned only in passing and only when asked about. It became evident after conversing with candidates at different stages of the interview process that there was one overarching feature binding them all together. They had all traveled miles, physically and emotionally, to assert their own humanity and claim what was rightfully theirs. It appeared that 'righting the wrongs' was almost anthemic and oddly appropriate to the job fair. At the end of the day, although the “court had adjourned” and the “jury was still out”, there was an overwhelming sense of victory. Commendations poured in from the corporate representatives winding up after an 'exhilarating' day. The HR personnel from Score Training Academy positively beamed with relish after having a fruitful day of engagement with

“ very bright, highly qualified, focused young people, who had extraordinary clarity on their capabilities and expectations.” Some others brimmed over with enthusiasm as they sealed plans of collaboration with Ability Foundation for future employment initiatives. Some companies even suggested that the job fair be taken on the road, to make it accessible to people from the farther reaches of the country. The indispensable platoon of workers, some casual helpers, some volunteers from colleges and some professional helpers such as members of Bharath Scouts, received well deserved applause. EmployAbility 2010 was everything it promised to be and more. The enthusiastic corporate participation despite the current not-so-enthusiastic corporate climate, reaffirmed the opening up of attitudes towards equal opportunity employment and human rights. What was considered “wistful thinking” early on, has now witnessed undeniable fruit bearing result. Business concerns that initially considered the employment of persons with disabilities unviable, have now started to view qualified people with disabilities as a valuable human resource potential and recognise the fact that this human capital can no longer be ignored. Ability Foundation can proudly claim to have been an important catalyst for this change and in view of the success of EmployAbility 2010, we had much to celebrate. Even as all of us dutifully posed for group photos at the end of the day, and wound down with relieved chatter, we continued to mentally flip the sheets of our calendar about our next one. With so much to achieve still, we knew there would be no counting down, only counting up.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 27 AWARENESS CHILD AT THE CENTRE OF EDUCATION - GAYATHRI KIRAN There is a slow but positive change being noticed in the language used by educationists. They are increasingly talking about making education more concept-driven and, most important, more “child-centric” and “inclusive.” Is this because the current syllabus-driven model is not delivering? Or is it that the model is becoming too teacher-centric? Or, could it be that the model is not ensuring that the “No Child Left Behind” policy is followed? The answer to all the questions most probably is YES. In the past year in India, there has been a steady interest in child-centric education perhaps like never before. Even the media keenly focuses on children's education. The Right to Education (RTE) Act may have been one of the positive instruments for this change. However, there have also been some negative and distressing developments that have held a mirror to society at large and to the education-community in particular. Thus, the current trend towards the rhetoric, child- centred education policies and systems. The phrase child-centric education itself needs to be understood thoroughly before any hopes of implementation can be raised. In this context, it is essential to keep certain parameters in mind: first, the fact that most educators and policy makers have never experienced a child-centred education themselves; and second, the fact that India's regional and linguistic diversity is so vast AWARENESS that what is child-centred in one area, may be dysfunctional 100 km away! Within these givens, we need to understand what child-centred education is. It has been one of the most commonly bandied-about terms, but at ground level, what does the term translate to when it comes to action? There are certain basic facts about children's knowledge and understanding that we should keep in mind while analysing the merits of child-centric education. One: all children are eager to learn and inquisitiveness is an innate quality. Two: children are capable of acquiring their own knowledge. Three: children are capable of independent, as well as cooperative, learning. Four: all learning and concept acquisition in children happens in their cultural identity and social context. It is never an independent occurring. Five: when children are self-motivated, grades and certificates become irrelevant. Six: all children (and adults) have different learning styles. Child-centred education Keeping the above in mind, we need to translate what educationists from Froebel, to Montessori, to Krishnamurti have tried to bring about.  All children have a right to education, but it doesn't end there. All children have a right to free and fair education that ensures complete and overall development — physical, motor, social, emotional, intellectual, and linguistic. If any educational practice can ensure that it is providing overall positive development for children in the classroom, it can be called as child-centred. The orientation of such a classroom has to be towards children's needs, rather than those of the system or curricula.  A child-centred classroom will take into account “all children.”  A child-centric system should have the material and methodology that are appropriate to age, developmental level, multiple abilities, cultural differences, learning styles, exceptionalities and giftedness and should be inclusive. The curricula is to be planned keeping in mind all of these factors, rather than moulding the children to the curricular needs.  All learning in such a classroom should be active, participative, and self-regulated (by the child). This can be achieved by increasing the activity level in the classroom, whereby learning happens through various modes rather than just chalk and blackboard — research work, theme studies, project works, field trips, activities, art and craft and so on. The important point is to help the child find his or her means of imbibing information through “Experience, Experiment, and Exploration.”  Learning in classrooms can be made individual as well as interactive, co-operative and positively competitive. It is important here to consider social learning as a means, as well as an end, which takes into account the substantial learning and teaching that happens from peers at the school level. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “you send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 29 AWARENESS schoolboys who educate him.”  A child-centred classroom also has to have a positive orientation towards the evaluation of achievement, acquisition of skills, and performance. Very often, the task of evaluation overshadows the task of learning and teaching, and leads to education becoming achievement oriented, limiting itself to only marks and grades. It is very essential to evaluate the evaluation procedure itself, to make sure that we are assessing something that we want to assess and that which is valuable and functional to the child.  The environment and the adults in the environment have to be in sync with the philosophy of child- centred education. This includes attention to materials in the classroom, placement, access and comfort, keeping the child as the focal point, the whole time.  The teaching and learning process can be made open-ended and creative, rather than restrictive and syllabus driven. The end results are often better than what we aim for.  Schools adopting this system need to work like a community, with contributions coming from parents, as well as from the community.  Teachers are the mainstay of any education system. They need to be paid attention to, in a child- centred environment. Teaching is a vocation that demands a lot , in terms of time, personal involvement and work. As professionals, they need to be valued for their tremendous contribution to society, as they are in direct touch with the children's lives. Benefits of a Child-centred Learning Environment As with all human endeavours we have to weigh the relative benefits of this system. So, what are the benefits of child-centred education? Apart from building a community of strong and healthy independent thinkers and learners, there are several other direct benefits too :  It builds confidence and independent learning skills and helps to take responsibility for one's own learning.  It suits all learning styles, abilities, and capacities.  Learning becomes purposeful and concept-driven instead of results-driven. This results in lesser pressure on the teacher and makes teaching a relaxed and enjoyable process for both.  Children work on their own need-to-learn drive so that external motivators like awards and marks/grades are not required. Conclusion The right to free and compulsory education has been legalised in our country recently. Many worry that this will make education follow a cookie cutter pattern and will stymie the child-centred approach to education. The RTE Act says “Every child in the age group of 6 – 14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an 'age appropriate classroom' in the vicinity of his/her neighbourhood.” A careful examination of the document shows that, in print at least, all the features of a child-centred education system are in place. How it is translated into action depends on not just the Ministry of Education or the teacher, but on the entire community of people interested in providing quality and child-centred education to our children. CARING CONCERN WIPRO - PRITI KATARIA WIPRO is a global IT services company that provides Consulting, Business Process Outsourcing, Business Technology service, Enterprise Application services, Infrastructure Management, Testing, Product Engineering, Engineering Design and Product Support. Wipro, entrenched in the belief that its people are its greatest asset, has keenly nurtured its workforce. Its strong commitment to equitable employment therefore comes as no surprise. Ability Foundation has been interacting with Wipro for over five years. Through their unstinting support to the cause and unfailing participation in our yearly job fair, Wipro has earned itself a special place in the campaign for equal opportunity employment. PRITI KATARIA, General Manager, Talent Engagememt and Development, Professional Services Division, talks to us about how this IT giant walks the talk as an equal opportunity employer. You have been an equal opportunity employer absorbing several qualified candidates with the right qualifications into your workforce. How do you feel about absorbing persons with disabilities at various levels in your company? That Wipro is an equal opportunity employer is well reflected in our merit-based selection of talent. We hire employees without discrimination on any parameter other than competence. Our employees with disabilities have joined us on merit and everyone is provided an equal opportunity to perform and an inclusive environment to work in. Since the overall number of such employees is a small percentage of our worforce, we take steps to ensure they are not, in any way, marginalised. This helps both the employee and the supervisor to achieve maximum results in a professional environment. Also, diversity adds to the richness of the work environment. Disability is just another facet of diversity that we feel enhances team dynamics. While hiring people with disabilities, what are the types of disabilities you see as best suited to the job demands? Our approach has been to publish job descriptions elaborately, so as to enable the reader to make an informed decision about his/her suitability. At the same time, we are also working towards making our premises totally accessible and encouraging all employees to share their requests for support, so that our employees with disabilities are able to work more effectively and grow meaningfully, career wise. This, we believe, is a more inclusive and sustainable approach, than to just designate certain jobs to people with disabilities. What criteria do you consider as necessary while hiring candidates with disabilities? What is your assessment of their contribution to, and performance in, your company, in the past? The terms for hiring of ALL employees are similar — nothing to single out the candidate with disability. However, there

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 31 CARING CONCERN could be some variations in the process to suit specific situations. For example, a candidate with hearing impairment may have a written interview, or a candidate with vision impairment may be provided with a scribe for taking a written assessment. Our Performance Management System evaluates each employee's performance across Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Competency Areas (KCAs). This evaluation happens twice a year. Wherever necessary, improvement plans are advised in cases where the delivered performance is lower than expectations. This system holds for all employees. We have not felt the need for any additional specific measurement of performance in the case of persons with disabilities as against the performance of other employees. We believe that employee performance is best measured with respect to the specific goals carried by each employee. Does your company have a disability policy on hiring, reasonable accommodation and so on? If so, what are these: for example, screen reading software, ramps, sign language sensitivity, etc., which create an inclusive environment for disabled employees? Wipro has created a comprehensive framework for an inclusive environment for people with disabilities. We believe that an environment that is automatically inclusive not only facilitates employment, but also assists with career building for persons with disabilities. Thus, as part of this initiative, we have:  developed a Diversity Framework. Wipro's Persons with Disabilities framework consists of six core areas: (1) policies, (2) talent acquisition (recruitment), (3) talent transformation (training), (4) civil infrastructure and facilities, (5) information systems and (6) awareness creation.  set up a Diversity Council at the corporate level, with senior leaders championing each aspect of diversity, as well as an executive sponsor. The initiative is reviewed by the top management on a periodic basis. The following are the modifications that have been made to the identified core areas to make them inclusive/friendly for use by people with disabilities: 1) Information Systems: a)The most important and the most used applications have been identified. b) Training developers on WCAG have been provided. c) Sites have been tested and barriers have been identified. d) Guidelines have been prepared and communicated for internal communication to make them accessible to people with disability. e) Assistive technologies such as JAWS software, Mobile Speak, large screen readers, are made available to employees through a standardised procurement f) CARING CONCERN process to ensure efficient functioning at work.

2. Civil Infrastructure: a) a)Access audits of Wipro buildings across all locations in India have been completed. b) Wipro's infrastructure standards (earlier based on National Building Code 2005) have been modified to include national and international norms for creating barrier-free buildings. c) A 'Kaizen event' was undertaken to improve accessibility of one building for people with different disabilities in just 5 days, which was quite successful. d) Campuses are being made accessible in a phased manner. In the first phase,14 campuses have been made accessible, to the extent possible, for people with disabilities. In the second phase, 5 more campuses are being modified. e) Maintenance of accessibility features was introduced as part of regular maintenance work, to ensure sustainability. Maintenance checklists were modified to include accessibility. Accessibility issues have been included as part of the 'monthly audits' undertaken for ensuring 'Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series' compliance. Accessibility has also been added as part of 'Location Review Meeting', where employees are invited to discuss the various facilities /administrative concerns and safety. f) Procurement policies are being reviewed to include accessibility as part of the tender. For example, the tender for elevator includes accessibility features. g) Vendor Diversity: Wipro outsources many of its maintenance services to vendors. We have recently started an initiative to proactively reach vendors with disabilities and disability NGOs. Our vendor diversity program has two objectives: (1) to induct vendors with disabilities (2) to encourage existing vendors to hire people with disabilities. Wipro has also been regularly providing spaces to NGOs to put up stalls at all the locations during festivals to sell their products. Vendors actively seek candidates through job fairs and NGOs, so as to deploy persons with disabilities in various vendor outsourced activities of Wipro. 3. Awareness creation (internal and external communication): a) A section, World on Equal Opportunities, has been introduced in our career website. b) Our equal opportunity policy is being communicated through mailers and other communications. c) Over 50 senior HR executives have been trained on disability.

4. Policies: We did a review of our existing policies to ensure non-discrimination, to provide reasonable accommodation, and to make them disabled friendly. The review revealed that we already had some good practices and policies such as non discriminating insurance policies, increased medical reimbursement for certain conditions that require higher medical expenditure and other comprehensive employee benefit policies. Some of the policies to which we have made necessary changes:

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 33 5. CARING CONCERN a) Transport policy: People with disabilities are entitled to suitable and accessible modes of transport for travelling within and outside the city. People with severe disabilities who need an escort, will also be provided with one. Convenient pick up and drop will be provided for people who use the company bus. Company bus specification standards are being reviewed to ensure that the new buses hired are disabled friendly. b) Policy on loans and advances: Loans and advances will be extended to employees with disabilities for buying aids /appliances/ technology for their personal use. c) Company car policy: This includes the option of buying an accessible car or making necessary modifications for persons with disabilities. d) Information systems policies: Laptop and Telecom policies were modified to include necessary assistive technology for people with visual impairment. e) Joining policy with respect to accommodation: Accommodation policy was revised to include the provision of accessible rooms for people with disabilities and to allow an escort for people with severe disabilities. What would be your advice/message to qualified persons with disabilities seeking jobs, on equipping themselves better to compete with their non-disabled peers? Wipro is a meritocratic organisation. Our team actively seeks the right match — qualifications, skills, and attitude — for all available openings at any point in time. It is thus important that the candidates be well prepared technically and present a professionally turned out self, as they are representative of Wipro in client interactions and clients expect well-rounded professionals. The other important thing is to have an open mind with respect to choice of location. Great careers are built not just by performing on one job, but by building it through taking up opportunities for higher responsibilities. Being emotionally prepared to move towns is a big advantage. It is also important for the candidate to disclose a requirement (or requirements) for reasonable accommodation that would underlie or improve his/her productivity. The interviewer may not be able to assess the candidate's needs unassisted. Asking for the accommodation brings out the confidence of the candidate and also helps the people involved in the interview and at work, should the candidate be selected. MINAR RESTAURANT LEVEL 12 MUGHLAI & AWADHI CUISINE

The Piano The Buffet Restaurant

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 35 Moving Along With Ability It has been 15 eventful years and as we move forward in our endeavors, we have been extremely fortunate to have chanced upon so many people from all walks of life... celebrities, supporters, bureaucrats, writers, volunteers - all now, our dear friends - truly a kaleidoscopic trail. It has enriched us as well as reaffirmed our faith in our aspirations; asserting our optimism in humankind and the fact that our vision for an inclusive society is a plausible and credible dream. Here are the comments from some of them, that we share with you… Moving along with Ability I've learnt a lot by associating with the Ability Foundation.... I've learnt that ability is in the heart and not just physical.... it is in eyes of the heart ..ears of the heart and speech of the heart .... I am adapting..what I've learnt to my own school KMMC ...and its already showing great results .. God bless you all at Ability Foundation ...keep going Forward ...you will!

Sent from my iPad A.R.RAHMAN Music Composer- Director

Moving along with Ability Ability of Ability Foundation is beyond words… It grows not only in strength but also in compassion. In these few years, the strides made by the foundation have not only helped thousands but has put confidence into many of us that- 'Nothing is Impossible'. My best wishes and lots of love to the great work done by Ability Foundation.

MOHINI.GIRI Chairperson, Guild of Service. Moving along with Ability I consider it a privilege to have known the Ability Foundation during much of its life. Under the inspiring and loving care of Jayshree Raveendran, the Foundation has discovered and fostered ability among all disabled individual, young and old. It has been a most exhilarating experience to watch the ability of those who are recognised every year in an annual award ceremony. Watching them makes me feel very humble. Ability Foundation has helped to make ordinary human beings extraordinary in their talent and life. Thus, it has been a transformational agent providing life changing experience to all who get associated with this unique foundation. On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Ability Foundation, I send my very best wishes for its continued success in remaining as a bright affirming flame in the midst of the sea of despair that we see around us. PROF.M.S.SWAMINATHAN Member, Rajya Sabha Chairman, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation Moving along with Ability THOTA THARANI’S ILLUSTRATION

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 37 Moving along with Ability My introduction to the Ability Foundation was in 2005 when as the Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary, I met Smt. Jayshree Raveendran and Ms.Janaki Pillai in connection with their request to promote the first Film Festival on the theme of disability. As this subject has always been close to my heart, I offered them whatever help I could. I was also impressed with their determination to push their agenda forward in a dynamic and meaningful way. It was only halfway through the meeting that I discovered that Smt. Raveendran had lost her hearing at the age of about four, but could lip read, and consequently speak in English, Tamil and Hindi. Thereafter, I associated myself with the work of their Foundation to the extent that time allowed me from my official duties. When I was Election Commissioner, I was once able to serve as a member of the Film Festival Jury. On that occasion, the Jury members had to struggle to select first and second prizewinners, for all the films produced on the subject were moving and well made. On another occasion, I associated myself with the Foundation's Job Fair “EmployAbility”, an initiative potentially fraught with difficulties, but one that gave hope to the disabled seeking employment. EmployAbility which brought employer and qualified disabled persons together at a chosen venue enabled potential employers to interview those seeking employment. What was unique was the creation of opportunity to focus on those in society who had special needs, and to move ahead not in a spirit of charity but a situation of equal opportunity. NAVIN B CHAWLA Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Moving along with Ability "If all you see is the disability...you might be missing a lot. People with disabilities are also first people." My association as jury member with CavinKare Ability Awards and for AbilityFest: (India International Disability Film Festival) has taught me this. Their efforts have successfully helped people in general to recognize those with or without certain abilities, as an integrated “whole”, where all are equal partners and where those differently abled are helped with respect. The one thing that the Awards has made very clear to me is that words reflect individuality, equality or dignity. Always bear in mind that disability does not make a person any different. All people deserve respect. May we all strive to ensure this. JAYA BHACHCHAN Actor and Social Activist Moving along with Ability I am indeed very happy to be associated with Ability Foundation who has been serving the cause of the disabled for fifteen years. Ability Foundation under the leadership of Ms. Jayshree Raveendran has been striving all these years sensitising the society about the rights of people with disabilities and for providing equal opportunities for them to lead their life with dignity. A large number of people with disabilities are being given opportunities by the Corporate Sector for employment through the efforts of the Ability Foundation which has been organizing job fairs at different parts of the country. I have great appreciation for the advocacy role played by the Foundation and the initiatives taken in promoting the cause of the disabled persons through a variety of innovative programmes. The leadership role played by Jayshree Raveendran is indeed exemplary and she deserves the greatest respect from the society. Jayshree is one of the finest examples of modesty and selfless service. V KRISHNAMURTHY Chairman, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council Moving along with Ability May I congratulate the Success & ABILITY magazine for having reached 15 Years. The magazine has played and will continue to play a vital role in the lives of many a person with disability in India and other parts of the world. Networking of people with disability is vital to the success of the equality enterprise. So too is communication between people who do not have a disability and those who do. I trust that this magazine will continue to perform these vital functions Good luck for the future! Warmest wishes ZAK YACOOB Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa Moving along with Ability Dear Jayshree, What a wonderful occasion to celebrate my association with the Ability Foundation. 15 years! I know what strength and courage it takes to fight adversity in such a positive and wonderful way. The tales of heroism I've encountered through my association with you, inspires me on a daily basis. Keep up the great work and remind us folks to appreciate the life we've been given and to stop complaining. Good luck on changing the world, one little step at a time. Sincerely, NAGESH KUKUNOOR. Film maker

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 39 Moving along with Ability Surana &Surana International Attorneys 17th September, 2010 Dear Ms.Jayashree Raveendran, At Surana & Surana, we are extremely delighted to wish you and your team on the occasion of completing 15 years of meaningful contribution and service to our differently talented brothers and sisters We are proud to be part of this endeavour. With regards and best wishes, P.S.Surana Leela Surana Dr.Vinod Surana Rashi Surana Kalyan Jhabakh Ashok Anchalia Sanjay Mehta S.Suresh Moving along with Ability “It's with near disbelief that I realized that Ability Foundation is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The evenings when we used to meet up at Jayshree's Gandhinagar home which was also her office, seem so recent and memories are so vivid. I was in the trenches and in the thick of things during the formative stages. But then caxme a long break when I had to relocate to Bangalore. However I did get to attend the Cavinkare Ability Award Ceremony that happened in the Garden City and it was so good to reconnect. The magazine has of course grown in stature reflecting the considerable advancements made by the parent. Indeed, today Ability Foundation is spoken of in the same breath as other respected organisations that have been around far far longer. And as the voice of the organisation, Success & ABILITY is making waves in opening minds, changing attitudes and touching the hearts of people and organisations. The magazine knows only one way to go...and that is up! Happy Anniversary MOHAN MENON Governing Council Member, Chennai Business School & Former Director Ogilvy & Mather Moving along with Ability I have the great pleasure of working with the Ability Foundation for almost a decade now. My first contact with the Ability Foundation was "meeting" Jayshree Raveendran on the internet. Mr. Arun Rao, a mutual friend, introduced us and we hit it off. We spend hours on the internet discussion various issues, especially deaf education and communication systems. We became friends though these long discussions and decided to meet in person when I visited India. We met in 2004 for the first time. The meeting in itself was interesting as I cannot lip-read and Jayshree knows but few signs. However, communicate we could and we did. I wrote an article on our meeting under the title, "A tale of two communicators." Later, on Jayshree's encouragement, I wrote several articles for the Magazine. The following year, I flew to Chennai to participate in a national conference of teachers of deaf children. I used the Ability Foundation as my base for attending the conference and visiting local schools for the deaf. I have worked with almost all the members of the Ability Foundation and consider them as my friend. I also had the great pleasure of attending one employment fair and an award ceremony. All in all, I have been closely associated with the Ability Foundation or as closely as one can be from 9000 miles. MADAN VASISHTA Associate Professor in the Department of Administration & Supervision, Gallaudet University, Washington DC Moving along with Ability My association with Ability Foundation dates back to my pre-“Mozhi” days! “Archana”- the protagonist of the film was an inspiration from a real life character I saw in my school days! And for me to successfully portray the magic of real to reel, I needed a deeper and real understanding of disabled persons which was provided by Ability Foundation. Learning the sign language gave me a deep insight into so many things we may not notice in day to day life. I have always been awed by Ability Foundation's untiring efforts to integrate people with disabilities into mainstream society. Their efforts towards creating awareness, sensitizing the society in general, training and employment is truly praiseworthy. It has also been my pleasure and privilege to be a part of Ability Awards and Ability Fest. I really hope to continue this cherished association. I would like to end with a quote I read somewhere- “The only disability in life is a bad attitude!” Radhamohan Film maker Moving along with Ability Kudos to Team Ability for tirelessly working towards creating awareness and dispelling conventional moulds and myths about differently abled and empowering them through multifarious path-breaking programmes: workshops, advocacy programmes and much more. They have broken many barriers and have been hugely successful in changing mindsets. Our long association of over a decade with Ability Foundation has been heartening to see them grow skyward with their dedication and commitment. Here's wishing all at Ability a very happy 15th anniversary and warm wishes for nothing but greater success in helping our country become one where each individual is an inseparable part of the society. NANDITA AMIN, Architect & SAVITA AMIN, Chairperson V Care Moving along with Ability Success & ABILITY is one of the best magazines in the country that brings to centre-stage the abilities and achievements of persons with disability. Its' contents are imaginative and innovative and its design and 'get-up' are sensitive and appealing. It is the only cross-disability magazine that projects issues across all disabilities under a colourful and pleasing umbrella. I also congratulate Ability Foundation on its outstanding success in taking the achievements of persons with disability to India and the world and wish it all the best on its 15th birthday. MAJ GEN(Retd) IAN CARDOZO, AVSM, SM Chairman, RCI

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 41 Moving along with Ability The soft gentle voice over the phone requesting me to contribute articles for her daughter, Jayshree Raveendran’s Success & ABILITY magazine sounded vaguely familiar! So, I asked her to tell me her name. And when she replied Leela Swamy, I happily screamed into the phone that I was Parvati Paniker, now Menon, her friend in our Queen Mary’s College days. Thus a friendship which had broken off in the 1950s, when we parted ways, was re-kindled thanks to Ability Foundation. And our close connection with the Ability family was established when my daughter Deepa and I visited them. Every article in the magazine is well-researched and very motivating for the readers and published with intense care and deep concern. Authentic write-ups of the achievements of several youngsters and elders in spite of any of their physical drawbacks will surely guide and inspire each and everyone who would require a little encouragement and appreciation. Best Wishes to Ability. PARVATI V MENON, Writer

Moving along with Ability I have known Ability Foundation for almost fifteen years, I think Almost fifteen years that have gone by in a blink But, to cut a very long story short And though a friendship is its own reward All I can say is 'Here's a High-five Thanks for taking the dis out of my life.' Salil Chaturvedi, CEO Splash Communications

Moving along with Ability Sesquidecade Celebrations. Circa 1998: One evening physiotherapist, Dr Dhruv Mehta visited and gave me the subscription form of Success & ABILITY. Ever since, I have been a family member of Ability Foundation: as a subscriber, reader, a columnist and a huge fan. Jayshree Raveendran- founder of Ability Foundation, invited me to Chennai for the annual awards in 2004. I was amazed, impressed and bowled over by the effervescent efficiency with which each and every team member joyfully functioned. I met Jayshree, Geeta, Janaki , Meera and others for the first time physically, but they had already connected with their innovative thoughts and words. Being an editor and publisher myself, I am always inspired by the way Success & ABILITY has transformed over the years- always enabling me to read each and every word and nudging me to preserve them for future reference. The pages come to life with the potential and abilities of the human race. The style and intent of its articles communicate the tremendous possibilities and transmits true hope for the future. Never once does it disillusion or dampen the spirit. The eclectic collection of the authors and the topics all point to deep understanding of the issues and a genuine concern to tap the ‘success’ within all of us through our ‘abilities!’ We truly start admiring the authors disregarding their disabilities, which pales into insignificance. Wow, happy anniversary (sesquidecade- 15 years)to the hip, young and happening Ability Foundation. The hope, joy and motivation that the team has relentlessly transmitted through this veritable reading fare- our blessings for more power to your elbow, to continue on this path with renewed enthusiasm and verve. Success Always! DR KETNA L MEHTA, Founder Trustee, Nina Foundation and Editor & Associate Dean, Research, Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 43 Moving along with Ability Dear Readers, I am delighted to speak to all of you through the pages of Success & ABILITY. This is a rare occasion in the life of any magazine to be able to reach its 15th year of publication uninterrupted. Success & ABILITY has traveled a long way, thanks to the devoted efforts of Ability Foundation family under the leadership of Ms Jayshree Raveendran. During my association with Ability Foundation for more than seven years as a reporter and regional representative, based here in Delhi, I got an opportunity to meet a few of the top leaders of our country as well as several dynamic leading disability activists. These steel-willed personalities forged by values, inspiration, and a commitment to the cause and an extraordinary will power to achieve great heights have chosen careers in spite of their so called disabilities. I am myself a parent of a son with Downs Syndrome. One common quality which shines through all the personalities I met is their humility and concern for shaping a bright future for persons with disabilities. Adherence to truth and honesty of purpose radiates through their thoughts, words and action. Being a father of a son with an intellectual disability, I have been completely transformed by him into a better human being who would care for persons like him, give time, effort and energy to bring a smile to such persons. The dogged determination to succeed in spite of all odds, the motto of “Never give up,” the exemplary display of dynamism and energy are the qualities I've learnt through the pages of Success & ABILITY. J.K.MEHTA, Head of Department, Amity School of Commuication ------It has been three years - three years since I first stepped into Ability Foundation. And now, sitting in the balcony of my apartment here in I.S.B., I am wondering as to how do I answer my heart's question “What is your association with Ability Foundation? How has it impacted you?”. And strangely even before my mind can conjure up any answer at all to it, there is a very strong feeling of answer to the question! Even before I can pen down the thoughts I wanted to pen down – there is only feeling that is filling me up all over and bringing up a smile on my face at the very feeling! “So, What is your association with Ability Foundation?,” asked my heart. “First love, it is my first love”, I felt. And first love it certainly is! Ability Foundation has been to me, what a mother has been to her son. It has been to me, what a daughter is to her father. It has been to me, what a student to his teacher, A friend to his best friend, A team to a member of the team. Ability Foundation has been to me a combination of five feelings – Inclusion, Inspiration, Passion, Determination and Devotion - adding soul and meaning to my life! And at any point of my life, if I were to ever sit down and look back at that one single moment which changed me for the better for ever, it was when I became associated with this wonderful family of mine. And why do I say all this? As someone who strongly believes that nothing and absolutely nothing in the world can transform a person except love, I witnessed such transformation in me through Ability Foundation. Throughout the three years, I felt their infinite patience and support for my works in Success & ABILITY magazine, unimaginable inspiration through the “CavinKare Ability Awards”, unparalleled love through their “Employability” wing and a never say die spirit in every daily act of theirs. When I was very young, I once read, “Anyone in the world can face a crisis. It is day to day life that wears me out”. And strangely, as a physically challenged person and worse a dreamer at that, day to day life not only wears me out but also is a crisis at every stage. And if not for Ability Foundation, I wonder how on earth would have I got the spirit, energy, passion, determination and devotion to keep going on. It has been a god sent angel to guide the dreamer in me. It has been the book that summarizes my life. And it has been a family that loves me unconditionally and a family I proudly talk of everywhere! Love you all loads! :) SAI PRASAD VISHWANATHAN, Management Studies at ISB, Hydrebad

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 45 FUTURE TRENDS EXPERIENTAL MARKETING A Radical New Idea for the Indian Disability Sector DR. KETNAL MEHTA Marketing is constantly evolving with the objective of going beyond creating awareness about a product or service to actually enabling customers to undergo an experience of the same before buying it. Conventional marketing is an organisational function consisting of a set of processes for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers and for managing customer relationships in ways that benefit the organisation and its stakeholders. Experiential marketing connects audiences with the authentic nature of a brand through participation in person- ally relevant, credible, and memorable encounters. Whereas traditional marketing has focused on mass com- munication using rational, left-brain directed persuasion, experiential marketing focuses on helping make a personalised connection using the customer's emotional, right-brain directed involvement. There are a number of companies that have adopted this new model of marketing to attract and retain customers. Here is one of my personal “experiences” with experiential marketing. I visited an experiential zone of the brand Canon in a mall in Mumbai. All the various brands were displayed attractively all over the zone. Visitors were encouraged to hold, handle, check the various features, and even click photos with the various models on display. Within the zone there was a piano and Harley Davidson bike. One could pose at either of these spots and have a photo taken and printed out or simply play a few keys on the elegant piano. It made one want to spend as much time as possible in this place and browse through the products at leisure. This novel shopping experience was refreshingly unique. This concept of experiential marketing can be extended to the disability sector as well. An experience zone of the various products for people with disabilities in an accessible, barrier free environment will be a big draw. Within the space, different sections can be delineated to recreate environments such as home spaces — washrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, and so on — work areas (workstations), and recreational areas. The concept can be enhanced by inviting policy makers or members of the Ministry of Social Justice and Welfare to inaugurate. People can be allowed to wander through the zone perhaps sitting on a wheelchair, navigating ramps, trying out built-in accessibility features like railings, low elevator buttons, low reception counters, and other disabled-friendly features. Providers of products like aids, appliances, assistive technologies can avail of these experiential retail spaces to improve visibility and accessibility, building their credibility in the process. This would be not only a good revenue model for vendors, but would serve additionally as an effective demonstration to the public and civic authorities of how easy it is to make our public and private spaces disabled friendly. Experiential marketing of products and amenities will, because of the large market in India, be tremendously profitable while simultaneously increasing overall productivity of the nation by enabling inclusion. Why let such a potent management concept such as experiential marketing go waste? Few have awoken to the merits of experiential marketing to the disability sector. I do hope this recognition grows to take this radical idea to fruition. SPOTLIGHT An a(d)venture into the impossible VAISHNAVI VENKATESH If you were to ask me yesterday my opinion about adventure sports, my overworked imagination would have instantly swung into fifth gear, enumerating a long list of What-ifs. Today however, I realise that the list was just a trotting up of excuses. Varun, by converting What-ifs to So-whats, has turned my attitude around completely. After all, who better than Varun to demonstrate that when the attitude is transformed, disability is conquered. Belonging to the holy town of Rishikesh, Varun had always dreamt of having adventure and thrill play a vital part in his life. Six years ago, when he became a paraplegic and lost the use of his lower body in an accident, one would assume that he would have presumably limited his thirst for adventure.But no! Not just content with watching Discovery Channel, Varun decided to break barriers and seek adventure sports with a zeal that merits a standing ovation. Having been paralysed during the course of his studies, his first hurdle

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 47 SPOTLIGHT was to complete his education alongside his intensive physiotherapy: something that required tremendous focus and dedication. Sure enough, he completed a BBA and an MBA, and today works for a beverage company. Having succeeded in securing economic independence, his next hurdle was to achieve physical independence. This too he achieved to a very large degree — by driving a hand-controlled automobile. Having achieved these two important goals, Varun decided to feed his hunger for adventure further by trying out river rafting. In 2009, he underwent physical and psychological training to prepare for his upcoming challenge and then went on to successfully maneovre a turbulent 14 km course of the Gangetic rapids. This adventure earned him the position of a national record holder in the Limca Book of Records. His feat had another purpose — to create awareness about the much needed infrastructure for paraplegic people in our country. One would think that river rafting by a paraplegic person would be an ultimate adventure, but Varun proved sceptics wrong. He did so again when in 2010 he decided to go mountain biking on his Quad Bike (or ATV — All Terrain Vehicle used particularly in rugged terrain). Biking had always been a passion for him and he felt completely at home on the Quad Bike on which he undertook the challenge of completing a 125 km stretch on the Garhwal hills. Varun's adventures have been fuelled primarily by the zest to explore and to constantly challenge his abilities. Of course, his achievements have all had an underlying sense of purpose: to create awareness about paraplegia and provide motivation to others with similar ambitions but lacking the drive. By providing motivation, Varun doesn't mean to encourage other paraplegics to undergo rigorous physical and psychological endurance training, but to highlight the fact that a paraplegic person can venture into territories usually considered the preserve of non-disabled individuals: territories like independent living, caring for and supporting a family, and generally leading a productive life in every sense of the word. He believes that nothing is impossible, only the methods vary. Sure enough, he has broken barriers to achieve the impossible, only to target higher and challenge the “impossibles.” He has also begun an NGO aptly called Breaking Barriers Foundation that works for the welfare and inclusion of challenged people in the society, by dispelling physical as well as the more important psychological barriers in the society. PONDERINGS Frozen Thoughts HARI ADARSH SRIPATHI My admission into Kellogg was quite well received. My Gmail Inbox, which got the news before anyone else, put things in perspective by promptly dispatching the letter into a far corner of the Junk folder where I would not retrieve it until a frantic phone call from Financial Aid asking me for my overdue payments, would make me realise I had wasted a month of bragging rights. My bragging, however, mostly had the effect of people telling me that Kellogg was an American- invented carcinogen and that I should probably seek employment as a cashier in a local shoe factory. One kindly lady suggested that I ask Kellogg to pay me part of my salary in daily breakfast, since that, she felt, would solve the bane of irresponsible boys like me who skip their first meal. That was, of course, until they realised that Kellogg was not a Corn Flakes company but a business school in Chicago. “ Ooo, you are doing an MBA?” they would say with eyes wide open. Upon the mention of Chicago, however, those eyes would turn forlorn and sympathetic again. “I heard it's really cold, do you think you will survive it?” “You need to wear at least four layers of sweaters, and they are expensive in America, but not available in India, so you know, you are doomed anyway.” “Please write to us,” said a neighbor on my last day. “The cold will make you really depressed.” “Your water bottle will freeze before you walk.” “Your face will get swollen.” And of course my personal favorite: “If you stick out your tongue, long enough, it will freeze and not go back.” Crossing the ocean did not help much. In Boston, I overheard a lady say to her well-covered friend, “You are really overdressed. It's not like you are in Chicago.” “Oh it's colder than even hell. I lived there eighteen years ago,” said a veteran on the New York train. “Do you ever see the sun there?” asked a child who had probably been taught that Santa Claus rewards good children while banishing bad ones to Chicago. At Kellogg too, “Wait till January, you will regret you ever existed” is a lesson imparted to every first year — yes, as part of orientation. But few really look on the sunny side of things, which evidently is hard to do when all you see around you is snow beneath a grey sky. But then, living in Chicago does have its perks. You relate very well to mountaineers, perhaps, and can engage Eskimos in conversation about whether the snow flakes outside your window signals bad weather or well, worse weather. Now, how many people can actually shove a Chicago snowball into a steaming volcano and yell, “Is that all you got?” In Los Angeles for example, a T-shirt clad Indian earned many a look at a twenty degree temperature, while the rest of the city shivered. And my new found machismo, I credit to Chicago. To Chicago, I credit being able to indulge in overly exaggerated conversations of braving the winter that is worse than what halted Hitler and Napoleon in Russia. And Chicago I thank, for all the readers who read this nonsensical article. But do keep in mind, what my Russian friend told me. “Chicago weather is actually pretty good. Siberia is a lot worse.”

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 49 NECESSITIES ACCESSIBILITY IN INDIA the present scenario VIKAS SHARMA & SHIVANI GUPTA India's disability movement started predominantly in the early 1990s with the government enacting the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1996. The PWD Act was seen as a landmark piece of legislation in that it required the government to reserve three percent of all employment posts for persons with disabilities and to create barrier-free infrastructure in government properties, and entitled persons with disabilities to legislative and infrastructural support. Unfortunately, even after more than a decade since the passing of the Act, most buildings remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities. One of the biggest reasons seems to be a gap in the primary legislation, where access to a disabled person is not given as a “right.” Access may be provided only if the given state is financially open to providing this. The duty of states to provide accessibility features in government infrastructure is not mandatory but diluted by the 'limits of economic capacity and development.' Unfortunately, this is often used as the escape clause by the various government departments, most notably, the transport sector. Moreover, since no accessibility standards or guidelines are referred to by the Act, and also since the definition of crucial terms such as accessibility and public spaces are subjective, a lot is left to the personal interpretation of the various implementation agencies. In addition, the scope of application has been limited to the government sector and does not apply to privately owned businesses and services such as shopping areas, cinema halls, restaurants, corporate offices, and so on. This is a severe limitation since the private sector accounts for a large percentage of the employment market as well as a majority ownership of the built environment. From a disciplinary point of view, the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities(CCPD) is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Act and addressing citizens' grievances. The Office, though, is yet to take punitive action against any provider and generally limits its powers to sending gentle reminders to concerned government agencies. Due to the lack of a NECESSITIES binding legislation or an effective grievance refutation commission, some people with disabilities (and with the requisite financial resources) have been filing civil rights cases in senior Indian courts. While this has resulted in a few prominent rulings, particularly related to reservation in employment and access to higher education, the 'accessibility' component of the legislation has remained largely untested. Over the last five years the Indian media has played a strong role in sensitising the general public to disability issues, bringing discriminatory practices to light, and highlighting achievers with disabilities as social role models. This has assisted the Indian disability movement and has encouraged several leading corporate identities to take up “disability” as a core agenda in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. The increased awareness has by itself, despite the lack of any legislative requirement, initiated some voluntary action from socially conscious builders to incorporate accessibility features in their constructions, most notably shopping malls and luxury hotels. A recent survey of practising Indian architects in New Delhi found that although a majority (85 percent) of them were aware of the PWD Act, only about 11 percent of them were aware of any relevant accessibility standards that they could refer to when designing buildings for public use. Also, 37 percent of the surveyed professionals claimed that they were not taught principles of designing inclusive environments and 43 percent of them did not feel that accessibility was an important issue in public environments. This clearly indicates a lack of understanding of the needs of people with disabilities — a condition that is reflected in most of the existing infrastructure. A shortfall of trained access specialists further complicates the problem. In the current scenario there is no professional training programme available for becoming an access auditor, let alone an access consultant (a term which when used, is poorly understood). Adding to these woes are a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the disability sector who, without any relevant training or significant consultation with local partners, take it upon themselves to advise architects and designers on how to make

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 51 NECESSITIES their infrastructure ”accessible for all.” This is unfortunate as the architects and designers then feel that by incorporating recommendations of these “experts” or “disability groups”, they have achieved an outcome that is inclusive for all. The experiential reality is that the limited scope of the advice offered usually results in substandard accessibility and at times, in environments that are completely unusable by persons with certain types of disabilities. As a country that is quickly progressing towards becoming a developed nation, India is undergoing massive infrastructure development. Evidence of development is abundant in the capital with India which hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. Delhi saw fast upgrading of its existing infrastructure; as a result, there was significant investment in new constructions and ongoing renovations at many places — including transport infrastructure such as roads, bus queue shelters, railway stations, and airports. While the increased lobbying by disability advocacy groups supplemented with media attention for the same resulted in “accessibility” being included in the project brief for most new constructions and renovations, the absence of minimum accessibility standards coupled with a lack of understanding of the access needs by design professionals made these projects vulnerable to usability flaws. There are some people who may disagree and say the scenario is better, but I say it is high time we broke from a charitable model where we appreciate whatever little we get, and pave way for a rights-based approach to accessibility where not providing accessibility is considered discriminatory and punishable. I do hope that the new Act that is now being drafted serves to include people with disability and not discriminate against them any further. BOOK REVIEW Of Strugglers and Stragglers GAYATRI KIRAN How often is it that you happen to read two books in a short span of time that make total sense and do so with total logic and total passion!? The books I am talking about are Outliers—The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell and Don't Sprint the Marathon, by V. Raghunathan. Malcolm Gladwell is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author who has written winners like The Tipping Point and Blink. V. Raghunathan used to be an academician at IIMA for nearly two decades before he moved to a corporate career. He is also the author of Games Indians Play. It is apparent that he has been highly influenced by Gladwell, as there are references to Outliers in his book. There are some similarities between the two books First, on a light note, both the books can be found on the same shelf of any self-respecting book store with a whole bunch of other books, lumped under the vague section “Nonfiction/ Self Help”! Both books talk about something a lot larger than just the development of the self, as if in defiance of the constricting bookshelf label. Both talk about the opportunities culture and individual backgrounds can provide and how we, as parents and society, do not make the most of these opportunities. Both the books have gone deep into the lives of achievers (international in the former and national in the latter) and some “un- achievers” (sorry, but the word somehow fits). Both are written by scholars who have done their homework rather well and have woven their theories beautifully in a

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 53 BOOK REVIEW very readable manner. Finally, both are a must read for all parents and teachers. OUTLIERS (the book helpfully starts with the dictionary meaning of the word, which is “something that is situated away from, or classed differently from, a main or related body”) thoroughly analyses “success,” and the process by which it is achieved. It takes us through the lives of diverse people from varied cultures that have succeeded in what they set out to do — from Bill Gates to Beatles, from the classrooms of the gifted and talented to the farmers in Chinese paddy fields, from the disadvantaged in the ghettos of South Bronx to successful Canadian hockey heroes. The point made by this book is that all those who succeeded in whatever they set out to do had a few major advantages at the right time — be they strong cultural learnings, infrastructural facilities, access to opportunities, or simply the “chance” to do something about their natural abilities. According to Gladwell, outliers, who are our best and brightest super-achievers, do not “spring naturally from the earth.” They arrive where they are, as a result of being given a “gift” — they have been given opportunities or “lucky breaks” and have, on their part, had the alacrity and determination to seize these opportunities. There is a lesson here according to Gladwell on how we can make a better world — by making a society that gives the same kind of opportunities to all, instead of having to depend on random twists of circumstances that make or mar success… seemingly, a strong case for inclusion and equal opportunities. Gladwell makes his case stating with subtle urgency that “The world could be so much richer than the world we have settled for.” DON'T SPRINT THE MARATHON is a book based within the Indian context, so Raghunathan touches a few more chords as he talks more of the ground realities as we see them here. His premise is based on two basic questions: is life a race? If so, is it a sprint or a marathon? A sprinter, as we all know, has to start fast, run fast and for a short distance — he tires out fast and sometimes burns out. The marathon runner in contrast, may start slowly, regulate his speed, strength, and stamina, and make the final push at the critical juncture of the race, thereby lasting longer. He uses this comparison to evaluate not just the current educational scenario, but also the current parenting trends, which expect our children to start succeeding right from the word “go” and continue the winning streak throughout life (apart from being genius multi-taskers right from infancy!). This, according to Raghunathan is the “sprint-mode,” which is setting up our children for a fast exhaustion, early burn-out, and ultimate failure. Raghunathan's opinion is that every one of us needs to look at the larger picture of life, whether we are parents or professionals or both, and understand the difference between the life philosophies of 'sprint' and 'marathon'. He points out the flaws in the current trends among parents who push their children to extreme endurance tests believing that an early start in achievements and awards is the only way towards success. He takes examples from the lives of achievers from various walks of life in India, who are, according to Raghunathan, “marathon winners.” N.R. Narayana Murthy (Infosys), Dr. Anji Reddy (Dr. Reddy's Lab), Ashwini Nachappa (athlete), G.M. Rao (GMR Group), Ela Bhatt (SEWA) are some of these notable individuals, who very significantly missed the “early bird bus” but still turned out winners and significant contributors to society. He states his case succinctly in his concluding lines: “Achievement in sprint is about winning. In a marathon, it may be more about completing the course itself.” To my mind, both the books speak directly to people about the course that success takes — success in life, profession, and education — and there are valuable insights to be had in both the books. Indian Overseas Bank Good people to grow with Ad

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 55 Indian Overseas Bank Good people to grow with Ad MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… SAAZ AGGARWAL In the last 15 years, many changes have swept the country, affecting all our lives, from the internet revolution to the Right to Information Act, the electronic voting machine(EVMs), and even cable television. Many of us would remember a time when we stood in long queues to book railway tickets, found it impossible to get a phone or gas connection, and were delighted that we no longer needed to copy things by hand because our office had invested in a photocopier. Technology has unequivocally changed lives and being impartial in its sweep, has tremendous potential for improving the quality of life of disabled persons. While mobile phones have made it easier for people to communicate, they have provided the visually impaired with a newfound and much needed independence, allowing them to take charge of their own communication like never before. Screen-reading audio software has enabled the visually impaired to use computers and connect with people all over the world and access information through the internet. Even someone who is deafblind can do that today using a Braille reader. Gadgets like voice synthesisers, customised wheelchairs, and other enabling devices and technologies give mobility, confidence, and the opportunity to enter the mainstream. Besides significant progress in technology, people's attitude towards the disabled has also seen some change. The government has passed new legislations for the welfare of persons with disabilities such as the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 and the National Trust Act 1999. In 2001, the Census of India included a question on disability, which takes it a mile further in Census 2011. The RTE Bill 2010 includes a statement on the need for inclusive education. The Indian film industry too has done its bit towards sensitisation with Hindi films like Black (dealing with deafblindness) and Taare Zameen Par (on learning disability), Tamil films like Mozhi (about a deaf girl) and Malayalam films like Tanmatra (dealing with mental illness). This has led to increased awareness among non-disabled people on the importance of including persons with disabilities in the mainstream, the richness that diversity can bring to all and the need for psychological and physical access. Success & ABILITY asked six friends to name some of the key things that had changed their lives in the last fifteen years, and here is what they said...

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 57 MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… GEORGE ABHRAHAM With a career in advertising behind him, today George Abraham runs SCORE foundation, a Delhi-based NGO that supports the cause of the blind in India. George Abraham loves fast-paced novels and cricket. His need for speed manifests in his favourite sport, Cricket — he is indeed a pace bowler himself. His interest and excellence in cricket led him to be elected chairperson of the World Blind Cricket Association. During his tenure he organised the World Cup Cricket for the Blind in India in 1998 and 2002. He watches a film every week, if possible on the very day of its release and can analyse it like a professional critic. He lost his optic nerves and retina to meningitis at just ten months of age. Undeterred, he went on to complete his schooling, graduating in Mathematics with honours and receiving a Master's degree in Operations Research from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi. Here is his list of five things that changed his life the most over the past 15 years: Screen Reading Software Jaws, the screen reading software has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Audiobooks and E-books Books in e-text and audio formats have helped me catch up on my fiction reading. Internet The internet has wonderfully neutralised the disadvantage that I might have had, in accessing information Cell Phone This technology has revolutionised the way I connect with people. E-transactions This has made life very easy by allowing me to do my banking, travel bookings, shopping and so on, online. MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… MADAN M. VASISHTA Dr. Madan M. Vasishta, Associate Professor at Gallaudet University, Washington D.C., who was born in India, lost his hearing at age 11. He worked as a farmer for the next 10 years and moved to Delhi in 1961 where he first met deaf people and learned to use sign language. Dr. Vasishta then taught photography and worked with the All India Federation of the Deaf before going to Gallaudet University in the U.S in 1967. Here he earned his B.A. in History and Psychology, M.A. in Deaf Education, and Ph.D. in Special Education Administration and later worked as a teacher, program evaluator, principal, researcher and administrator in various schools for the deaf. Dr. Vasishta retired from New Mexico School for the Deaf as its superintendent in 2000. He now divides his time between teaching at Gallaudet and working on various deafness-related projects in India. About the life-altering developments, Dr. Vasishta says: Since I live in the United States and this magazine is for disabled people in India, my input might seem a bit incongruous. However, here is my list: Closed Captioning I appreciate having closed captioning for most movies and almost all prime time television programs. Pagers and Cell Phones Pagers or cell phones are a boon for communicating with my hearing and deaf friends through emails and text messages on the go. Disability Legislation I commend news laws (ADA in the United States and ratification of the UNCRPD by India) that allow disabled persons to have a level playing field in education, employment, and leisure. There have been quite a few developments that have enriched our lives. We still have a long way to go, but we are on the right path.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 59 MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… KETNA MEHTA Prof. Ketna Mehta is Editor and Associate Dean - Research at Wellingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai. She suffered a spinal injury that left her paraplegic in 1995. After two years of intense physiotherapy and other rehabilitation efforts, Dr.Ketna Mehta set up the Nina Foundation for others with spinal injury. She herself took up the study of healthcare management and received a doctoral degree in the subject in 2009. My walker It has been adapted with wheels which are soldered such that it moves only straight. The welder at the neighbourhood automobile garage fixed it for me, and I keep doing this for all my new walkers. I can freely move without the fear of jolts and jerks. Diapers Kimberly-Clark decided to launch its Depend® brand of diapers soon after my injury. After a few “wet” episodes, which were very bad for my confidence, these diapers have rescued my confidence and are now my lifeline. My blessings to all in this world who have continued replenishing my stock. The best gifts ever received have been Depend. The Internet VSNL launched their internet services in 1996 and I bought it even at the then exorbitant price. Though it was a task to try to connect using an external modem and that too mostly at night when the traffic was less, it was sheer magic to connect to the world and learn more about spinal injury and its cures. Computers I have been able to edit several management publications by telecommuting because of the power of computers and enabling software. The mind knows no limit, nor do email friends and contacts. Mobile Phones Though a late user of the mobile phone (as late as 2008), it has truly transformed the way I can communicate; I can reach Nina Foundation members through smses and calls. Also, our Foundation helpline is a mobile number and easy for people all over to connect to anytime. MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… MALINI CHIB Malini Chib works as senior events manager at Oxford Book Store in Mumbai. Malini was diagnosed with cerebral palsy before she was a year old. She completed her 'O' Levels in the UK, received a graduate degree from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and a diploma in publishing followed by two Masters degrees from the UK. She is a well known writer and a campaigner for the rights of the disabled, in which capacity she has lectured all over the world including the Sorbonne in Paris. Here is Malini's list of five things that have changed her life as a person with disability. London London to me is a city that is disabled-friendly and accessible. I can travel within the city on my electric wheelchair or using London buses which are completely accessible. I am visible. I am seen as a citizen negotiating and accessing life and living life like any other citizen. Being more visible changes people's attitudes, creating positive attitudes towards me and other disabled people. Electric Wheelchair My electric wheelchair is my set of legs. Using it empowers me to do more for myself: visit shops, museums, movies, restaurants, pubs and basically live a fuller life. Lightwriter The Lightwriter is a small communication device which I use when I meet new people. It helps people who don't know me to understand what I am speaking. I can use this to give lectures and have meetings in parks and other places. Most people who are unused to the way I speak get scared and embarrassed because they cannot understand what I am saying, but with this piece of equipment, people can understand what I want to say and respond accordingly. Mobile Phone A mobile phone is a fantastic communication tool which allows me to be in touch with people all over the world. Internet The Internet has revolutionised life especially for disabled people. It has made the world smaller for me as I can communicate, meet new people and be more knowledgeable through the net. The internet has become indispensable to most people and no less important to those who are disabled.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 61 MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… SAI PRASAD VISHWANATHAN Sai Prasad Vishwanathan, is now pursuing an MBA at ISB in Hyderabad. When still a baby, he had a growth on his spinal cord that needed urgent surgery, which left him with no sensation in his lower body. He learned to walk with crutches but on a school excursion a nail pierced his shoe and since he could not feel it, he continued walking. This left a deep, infected wound which needed surgery again. Sai continued with his studies undeterred and aced his 12th standard exam. He earned an M.S. in the U.S. on a full scholarship. Sai describes the five things that enriched his life: Electrically Powered Wheelchair A wheelchair is a device that actually and infinitely enables a disabled person. It is like a magic wand and after the wheel, the greatest invention by mankind. Electrically powered wheelchairs take 6 hours to charge and, run about 17 miles on full charge at 6 miles an hour. Their biggest advantage is that they can be taken into buses, cars and almost anywhere that two legs can go. Four-Wheeler Scooty: A Normal Scooty with Two Side Wheels for Balance This is a wonderful vehicle for the orthopaedically impaired that automatically balances itself on its side wheels. It has proved to be a precious, reliable and indispensable device that helped me gain my independence safely, reliably and economically. Buses with Ramp Facilities for Wheelchair Users I saw and used them for the first time in the U.S. They make public transport and day-to-day commute for an orthopaedically impaired person more comfortable and easy, and give more independence and confidence. Social Networking Sites Internet opened up the world to me. Through social networking websites like Orkut and Facebook, I interacted with people like me, learnt how they met the challenges of their daily life and drew inspiration from their experiences and ideas. A Positive Attitude Although anyone would think that this is not really an object or development, it has helped me more than anything else in life. Disabled persons like myself, many-a-time, feel like blaming their lot on fate, circumstance, environment and other things, but years of cultivating an attitude of optimism has seen me through the tough times in the best way, possible. MAKING A DIFFERENCE These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things… ZAMIR DHALE Zamir Dhale has always lived an independent life, first in Mumbai as a student and now as an advocacy officer at Sense International (India) in Ahmedabad. He was born deaf, to an underprivileged family in Pune, and when he was nine he lost his eyesight too. He received his subsequent education at the Hellen Keller Institute in Mumbai, where he learnt how to communicate by writing on people's palms and also to write English on a typewriter. He completed his SSC through National Open Schools. Zamir is married to Nasrin and neither she nor their daughter Zoya is disabled. Pac Mate This Braille display device that helps me to communicate independently. In 2000, when I met a deafblind friend who showed me how to use a laptop with the support of the Power Brailler, my life changed. I learned to use Pac Mate at Helen Keller Institute, Mumbai. Apart from the independence, it has lent my communications a privacy not previously afforded. Red-white Cane This is an indispensable guiding device that helps me travel long distances independently. Using this, I no longer have to wait for another person to be available to take me to the places I want to go to. Interpreter Support Interpreter support has been key to helping me communicate with people. I now have an interpreter who helps me communicate with others and help me 'watch' and understand movies. Sporting Aids Specially purposed ropes have helped me participate in sporting activities. I can run races and take part in other sports with the support of a rope. I have even done well in swimming competitions using a rope placed on the surface of the water as a guide. Internet Surfing the net has given me access to information I need and has also helped me to improve my English skills.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 63 ROLE MODELS FOUNDATION OF HOPE COMMUNICATION: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT SUDHA KAUL “Development relates to people. Development is more than the passage from poor to rich or from a traditional rural economy to sophisticated urban one. It carries with it not only the idea of economic betterment, but also for greater human dignity, security, justice and equity.”

-Raina 1990 These words were written by my father, a wise and erudite man, who instilled in me the values of human dignity and human rights. Years later when my organisation, Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP) came into being, these words formed the foundation of our beliefs and values. Over the last 36 years, IICP has endeavoured to uphold these values through its work across the country. A small reflection of this is seen through the words of two wonderful people I have had the privilege of knowing, who “grew” up at IICP. Both of them have cerebral palsy and are living testimonials of the efficacy of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) in enabling communication and interaction, and in their particular cases, scripting the extraordinary stories of their lives. PRIDE WITHOUT PREJUDICE SAYOMDEB There is no doubt that the word disability is panic-inducing for any individual who can walk, even talk and lead a normal life. How many of us would dare imagine a single unfortunate event that would bring our dreams to the brink? My case however, was different — it was not because of an accident that I lead such a life. Though born without disability, I gradually started to lose my strength. One may say that I began deteriorating. Gradually, as if a neurotoxin was injected into my bloodstream, the weakening spread throughout my body, making my muscles weak. My body became disobedient but my mind was working better than a computer RAM! During this time, the television was a new phenomenon which was gradually becoming a popular commodity in middle-class families. Around my teens, I was introduced to this new technology, which was referred to as the “idiot box” by some elderly people. This so-called idiot box, became an eye for me to see the outside world. I was eager to learn new things and got the chance to see, otherwise forbidden programs, by citing my disability as an excuse. It was through the variety of these programs I watched, that I learnt about our beautiful planet, and this made me want to see all those wonderful places in the world. ROLE MODELS My Ma brought me up with “extreme” discipline. Many-a- time her discipline made tears stream down my face. However, as I grew older, I realised that, extreme discipline was the road to determination and self belief. The seeds of ambition were planted in my soul, as was the democratic socialist attitude of Ma. She never told me to travel light-years to be successful. Her advice was simple: “If you reach for the moon you will certainly climb the tallest tree. You need not overcome your disabilities; think of it as your shadow and live with it.” My father (Baba) who is a doctor by profession is a sportsman in spirit (and in all practical senses). During his school and college years he played many sports but his passion was table tennis and mountaineering. He liked to tell me that no match was over, until the last point was won or lost. He would say, “You must have the guts to come out of those situations that you know are out of your control.” Apart from my parents, the most important mentor was my school (institute), where my teachers enriched my mind with basic values and social etiquette. There, I got the chance to develop my natural abilities and find a way to live my life with dignity. To me the word dignity relates to the pride in myself for having beaten the odds. In any other context, a person with pride is regarded as arrogant. My upbringing however, taught me that if pride is expressed in a controlled manner, it will almost certainly, come to your aid when you need it the most. At this point, with values that I embrace, I can stand up for myself and protest, if any illogical views are imposed on me. With the grace of God and with the blessings and hard work of my mentors, teachers, and parents I got the opportunity to represent my country as a speaker in a few international conferences and that too at a very young age. I consider myself very fortunate, but I still have miles to go before I sleep. RAINING WORDS BARSHA M y name “Barsha” is synonymous with rain and I arrived on a stormy, monsoon night. Thence began my challenges in life: I was born with quadriplegia. My mother was a young housewife, and I was her first-born. Two other children soon followed, but Ma never neglected me. Not only that, she firmly believed in my innate intelligence. She saw to it that I attended school despite severe criticism and objections from her husband, her in-laws, and the world at large. At home, Ma did everything for me. Not only was she my “arms” and “legs”, she was also my “voice.” She understood everything and interpreted it all on my behalf. Though I am all of 29 years old now, she still remains my most important friend, philosopher and guide. I am an extremely lucky girl — I have a second mother as well: Dr. Sudha Kaul of the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy. From the outset, she too believed in me and kept up her faith — and my morale — right through my school days. She and the other teachers encouraged, taught and helped me in a million ways. Reading is a source of incredible pleasure and motivation for me. I have read the life stories of Helen Keller, Sudha Chandran, and many such spirited individuals and have been extremely moved and uplifted. I am also a great lover of literature. The stories and poems of Sarat Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore were first read out to me by my Ma, and later, I read them by myself. They have been a powerful source of inspiration for me to start writing my own stories and poems. I am now recognised in my institute as a budding authoress! I have even entered creative writing competitions and won prizes. Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 65 ROLE MODELS My first success came in 2001 when Mallika Sarabhai, one of the most renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancers in India today, specially choreographed a dance with my poems as her muse. She performed this unique dance on the spot at a seminar named “Silent Voices” held at the Taj Bengal by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). In 2008, I won the Best Adult Entry in the “Many Stories, One Voice” writing contest—an international level competition also organised by ISAAC. In 2009, I entered an essay writing contest held by the Ramakrishna Mission and was awarded second place. I also composed a poem titled River of Life for an exclusive coffee-table publication titled The Hoogly – Living with Our River brought out by IICP. Thereafter, I wrote a short but powerful article about the condition of women in India and their urgent need for protection, as a contribution towards a presentation at a police conference in Chennai. I also wrote a semi-autobiographical story as an entry to the 2009 “Many Stories, One Voice” international writing contest. Early this year I prepared intensely for my English Board Exams (NIOS) and appeared for it with the help of a “writer” in April 2010. I am happy and proud that I passed with a grade of 75 percent. At present, I am taking a short course in Computers, as well as studying for my Class X board exam in Business Studies (NIOS). As for the future, I eagerly look forward to graduating with honours one day and also to publishing my stories and poems! I seek your support and blessings always. SOULIFICIO CHENNAI The sole authority Ad

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 67 EXPLORATOURS Wheels With Wings VAISHNAVI VENKATESH 'Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience. While the words of Bacon were wise and apt in his age, if he were to come across this group of young, ambitious, and determined people, he would perhaps choose to reconsider. PAGIR, short for People's Action Group for Inclusion and Rights is a disabled people's movement with a difference. Almost all action groups related to disability focus on rights, abilities and inclusion. As they go about bringing the much needed change in our society, PAGIR does this and more. In collaboration with Travel Another India (TAI), PAGIR has fashioned a perfect itinerary for inclusion — a barrier free holiday in Leh-Ladakh. EXPLORATOURS ‘Add a ramp here and a handrail there and voila — we have a barrier free tourist spot!' says a tiny voice in one's mind when the phrase barrier-free rings a bell. However, a really inclusive holiday is one where there is no opportunity for a person to doubt the ability of his/her wheelchair. It was with this thought, that the Himalaya on Wheels initiative was born. Himalaya on Wheels (HoW) is a tourism venture that enables wheelchair users to visit Leh- Ladakh with their families and friends and enjoy a holiday that is barrie -free. All places that are to be visited and experienced are accessible to everyone and sometimes, “made” accessible with willing hands and smiling faces. From inclusive hotels, homestays and transport, the founders of this venture will ensure that the wheelchair becomes just a vestigial organ in the entire trip. By quoting from one of the most intriguing movies in recent times (Inception), “A single idea from the human mind can build cities and rewrite all the rules,” one can connect HoW to PAGIR flawlessly. An idea about opening the doors of Ladakh (or should I say, widening it to make it wheelchair-accessible), to travel enthusiasts entered the mind of Mohammed Iqbal, the President of PAGIR. This idea was used to tweak a bustling tourist spot to make it a barrier- free one as well. So, why Ladakh? Firstly, it would be because PAGIR is based in Ladakh, where they have been advocating needs and rights with the government, promoting special skills of the locals and encouraging budding businesses by persons with disabilities to make them economically independent. Mr. Iqbal believes that empowerment and economic independence go hand in hand and hence it is important to begin ventures that ensure a stable and thriving livelihood for disabled people in Ladakh. In an open letter to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, Mohammed Iqbal has stressed on the importance of a seat for the disabled in the Ladakh Local Development Council, not just for the sake of filling a “reserved seat” but for voicing opinions about equitable opportunities in the social, political, economic and cultural spheres of the district. Hence, by playing a hospitable host to disabled people across the country and inviting them to his home territory, he has cemented his opinion on inclusion — at the physical as well as cultural, economic, and social levels. Further, all the HoW travellers get acquainted with the unique enterprise Jungwa Shrungskyob (protection of the four elements — earth, air, fire, water) started by PAGIR. JS is run by disabled persons who turn garbage into craft, thus not only providing a very profitable employment opportunity to the skilled and talented people, but also sending a strong message about environmental awareness and conservation. Quite the story of getting two bulls-eyes with one dart! Secondly, Ladakh has always been a popular destination amongst travellers of the adventurous kind. Situated at over 11,975 feet over sea level, this locale provides a stunning opportunity to discover a world that comes close to touching heaven. Often referred to as “Little Tibet” and made popular (for both good and bad reasons respectively) by the movie 3 Idiots and The Shopian Murders, this district has piqued the curiosity of nature lovers and news enthusiasts alike. Tourism has been encouraged in the area by the Indian Government since the late 1970s, and even military deployment for safety purposes has not hindered the curious traveller from going forth and exploring the beauty of the region. Interspersed with a rich culture and richer cuisine, this haven for 'momos and butter tea' is perhaps a perfect vacation spot for those who like the bustle of a town as well as the serenity of a hill station.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 69 EXPLORATOURS Ladakh is thus the perfect place to educate a non-inclusive society about the importance of a barrier free environment. After all, if this mountainous district that is sometimes inaccessible for even those without wheelchairs decides to widen its doors, won't other tourist destinations follow suit? PAGIR will continue to break barriers and venture forth into territories of inclusion, but it is up to us, the travellers, to choose if we'd like to make it just an experience of a lifetime, or take back a bit of valuable education with it. If education could have been experienced amongst travellers of all ages, Bacon himself might have wanted to embark upon this unique journey Himalaya On Wheels Programme Overview HOW TO GET THERE: Leh is connected by daily flights to Delhi as well as weekly flights to Jammu and Srinagar. By road, it is a two-day trip from either Srinagar or Manali. TRANSPORT AND COMMUTE: You will be accompanied by a helper and a driver, who have been specially trained to make your journey through Ladakh comfortable. A guide book will tell you about the history of each place you will visit along with details of the accessibility issues there. ACCLIMATISATION: The first day of any trip to Ladakh is a mandatory day of rest, giving the body time to get used to the high altitude with its low oxygen levels. Try not to sleep during the day. Read a book , chat with friends, soak in the view of the mountains or just be. Drink a lot of water throughout your trip and especially on the first day. While headaches are normal, any sign of discomfort beyond that needs the attention of a doctor. It is better to raise a false alarm than ignore the early signs of altitude sickness. Please read the details in the guide book. ITINERARY: Visit monasteries of Shey, Alchi, and Likir. See the the Indus or Sindhu rivers winding through the majestic mountains. Camp at Uley Tokpo, take in the panorama of the Himalayas, and wander around orchards. Visit the Pangong Lake (made famous by the movie 3 Idiots). Do some shopping for local wares and take cultural programs in the evenings. Savour Ladakhi cuisine (the pan-Indian favourites, momos; the famous noodle soup thukpa; and the exotic bitter tea unique to Ladakh). ACCOMMODATION: Both luxury and standard accommodations are available with a range of amenities and accessibility features. For more details about the tour itinerary and tariffs, contact: [email protected] or call +91 9940 559 513 INSTITUTION Shishu Sarothi VALSALA MENON Shishu Sarothi, set in the lush locales of the northeastern region of India, is a premier centre for rehabilitation and training for multiple disability and is a registered nonprofit voluntary organisation.This centre has been serving the cause of disability and catering to the varied special needs of persons with disability for over twenty years now.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 71 INSTITUTION From education to rehabilitation, training and employment to protection of rights, this centre, situated in Guwahati, is dedicated and equipped to meet all the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities. Shishu Sarothi has grown from its modest beginning with two children, one trained professional, and a few committed volunteers operating from a single room, to a bustling organisation reaching out to thousands of children across the region. The Centre is today housed in its own building, constructed on government-donated land and has expanded its services to cover children from all the states of the Northeast. The Centre's primary focus is on enabling persons with disability to attain and maintain maximum independence and full inclusion. Shishu Sarothi offers several services, one of them being a day care centre for special children run exclusively for Guwahati-based children. This service, delivered through the Centre for Special Education (CSE), provides child-specific programs through all-round educational and therapeutic inputs. The Centre is designed principally for students with cerebral palsy. At CSE, the student is first scrutinised for at least six months to assess their abilities, needs, and difficulties. After addressing the strengths and the severity of their disabilities, and on the advice of eminent physiotherapists at the Outdoor Service Department (OSD), the Centre recommends students to various departments of the special school at Shishu Sarothi. At the Special Teaching Unit, where children between four and eight years of age are admitted, training is imparted through stimulation. Children with multiple disabilities are assigned here. Formation of basic concepts through play and helping to increase the child's attention span is given top priority. In the play group to which students in the age group of 3–7 are assigned, students with cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, mild mental retardation, hydrocephaly are included. The main motive here is to promote learning skills, motor development, language and cognitive development. The leisure learning unit is for children above ten years of age. The prime objective here is to enable the students to INSTITUTION engage in leisure activities like playing caroms, listening to music, watching television or engaging in any activity that interests them. Most importantly, they are trained in self care in accordance with their own levels of self-sufficiency which help them perform their daily basic activities with minimal assistance. The functional unit is subdivided into functional junior (6-13) and functional senior (14-18) year groups. Here too, the primary object is to increase their functional abilities, communication skills, self – help capabilities and to provide vocational training. Mainstreaming is the chief objective of the Functional Academic Unit. The students exhibiting higher intellectual and cognitive abilities enroll in regular schools too. In fact, they are encouraged for higher educational pursuits through the open school system. The Out Services Department was formed in 1988 with the purpose of early detection and screening of high risk disabling conditions in infants. Early stimulation and intervention programmes were formulated, which were aimed at minimising developmental delay. As soon as the special needs of a child are identified, an appropriate regimen of management is prescribed. The OSD takes care of physical rehabilitation, speech therapy, and special education. Shishu Sarothi's Training Department conducts Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)-recognised courses such as Diploma in special education — Cerebral Palsy (under Manipal University);B.Ed in special education—mental retardation under North Eastern Hill University; Foundation course or in service teachers(under North - Eastern Hill University, Shillong); Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education Enabling Inclusion — Cerebral Palsy (Under IGNOU) Shishu Sarothi also conducts other long- and short-term training programs and workshops, awareness programs, and national programs for doctors and people at all levels. These training programs have helped to create a pool of skilled manpower in most of the northeastern states. The Vocational Training unit of Shishu Sarothi facilitates

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 73 INSTITUTION and fosters youth development and concomitant economic development. Agencies collaborating with Shishu Sarothi for vocational training are the Institute of Hotel management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (IHMCTAN) Guwahati and North Eastern Hotel Management Institute (NEHMI) Guwahati. Attention to detail and perfection are the watch words strictly adhered to in imparting vocational training. Disability Law Unit – North East (DLU – NE) advocates the rights of persons with disabilities through Legal Awareness, Litigation, and Legal Advocacy. It provides legal assistance & information to people from all over the Northeast region. The Disability Employment Initiative works towards providing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. The DEI follows the methods of awareness programmes, advocacy and monitoring to secure economic empowerment of persons with disability in the northeast region of India through employment and self-employment. Shishu Sarothi is a State Nodal Agency Centre (SNAC), under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, working to ensure the enabling of persons with disabilities to live as independently and fully as possible, to provide them necessary support, and to help those who do not have family support. Arman Ali took over as Executive Director of Shishu Sarothi in September 2009. His vision for this institute is to make it grow, to transform it into a one-stop shop for the entire north - eastern region for rehabilitation, care giving, training, employment, advocacy, and a whole lot more. Shishu Sarothi has grown in stature and is spreading its arms in an ever-widening reach to include the entire region in the national disability rights movement. Its rehabilitation programmes have been a balm and indeed a boon to persons with disability in the North-east, bringing with it an increase in awareness and desire for change. ALTERNATIVES POOCH Coach KOMAL PALICHA When I convinced my doctor to deliver my twins on the same day that I brought my boxer home last year, I realised how attached I had grown to my dog. My husband's desire for a pet opened up an entire dimension of love and fulfilment that we did not know existed within us. This and a friend's relentless struggle to improve the life of her son with autism spectrum disorder, set me thinking about the role of pets in our lives, elevating us psychologically and emotionally by just being their loving, unassuming selves. Animal-assisted therapy or pet therapy, where the interaction with an animal yields therapeutic results, is still at its nascent stage in India. Pet therapy can prove beneficial to children suffering from autism and dyslexia. Animals offer unconditional love, do not make judgements, and hence, offer great stimulus to children with some kinds of disability, as there is no pressure to perform. Dogs especially prove great candidates in healing programs. Dr. Priyadarshini Govind, godmother to my boxer and a dedicated vet, specialising in animal behaviour, says, “The concept of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is fairly new in India. India has no institutions that train 'Seeing Eye' dogs or 'hearing' dogs like in the West as the cost is highly prohibitive … I would say that even though it is mostly dogs that are now being used as therapy animals in India, schools should be encouraged to keep petting zoos, which could include any kind of domestic animal, such as sheep, goats, piglets, donkeys, calves. The idea basically is that during the

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 75 ALTERNATIVES time children get to spend with the animal, they are not thinking of anything else but the little creature in front of them and thus enjoy every moment of the time spent.” She goes on to say that “Labradors and German Shepherds seem to be the preferred breed due to their sharpness and ability to get trained rather easily. Mongrels too can be trained due to their innate sharpness. In fact, in Chennai we do have a few adorable mongrels as pets visiting special schools.” Dr. Chinny Krishna, the Chairman of Blue Cross, at an AAF (Animals Asia Foundation) Hong Kong meeting, heard about the “Dr. Dog” programme and resolved to introduce it in India as well. “ Dr. Dog”, the animal therapy programme, was initiated in 2002. Dr. Nanditha Krishna who heads the programme says, “I had read about pet therapy and started it in 1996 at Saraswathi Kendra, Chennai. The programme did not survive as it was conducted in a very unprofessional way with Daschund pups: a rather unsuitable breed for AAT. However, in a short time and with just two puppies, we were able to see a miraculous change in autistic kids. We decided this should be explored further. In 2001, Jill Robinson of AAF Hong Kong came to Chennai and trained assessors and Blue Cross volunteers. Thereafter, we introduced it in a major way in Chennai, especially at Saraswathi Kendra Learning Centre for Children.” The “Dr. Dog” programme involves regular visits to hospitals and to schools for children with learning disabilities. The interaction of these children with trained therapy dogs has resulted in a marked improvement in the children's communication and concentration levels. Since it might not be conducive for each individual to bring home a pet, the “Dr. Dog” programme serves as a bridge, allowing pet owners to bring in their dogs to have them ALTERNATIVES assessed for use as therapy dogs. The ones that qualify are given a timetable, which involves having them visit designated special schools for an hour every week. Dr. Nanditha Krishna explains that the temperament of the dog is more important than its breed, citing that while a Labrador was indeed her best “Dr. Dog”, many mongrels have made fine therapy dogs as well. Providing a simple checklist for training, she says “A Dr. Dog must be about two years old. You must have the dog by the time it is six months old. The training involves simple commands like sit, lie down, and stay. A well-trained dog (like a police dog) may not necessarily be a good Dr. Dog. The individual temperament is very important and only a trained assessor can say whether it is fit for AAT.” Dr. Priyadarshini Govind, who also performs assessments, says that a thorough evaluation is a must. The dog should not be jumpy, should be able to stay calm in a crowd and should not react when the tail is pulled or a hand is put in his/her mouth. Also critical to the success of the programme, adds Dr. Nanditha Krishna, is the familiarisation session that sensitises handlers as well as therapists to the needs of the children and the behaviour of the dog. Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), an animal welfare NGO in Bangalore, also actively supports this programme. Ms. Sudha Narayan, trustee of CUPA feels, “It is a fairly new field in India and people are just beginning to realise the value of this form of therapy. I have personally witnessed the progress made by children with disabilities in response to animal assisted therapy, and it is very

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 77 ALTERNATIVES heartening and in some instances, very touching too.” Under their programme, Charlie (a mongrel trained to be a therapy dog) has been visiting children at Shristi and Sameeksha — special academies for disabled and neglected children respectively — with stirring results. Mrs. Narayan says, “What he does, is to instill a sense of self-confidence among these children by interacting with them on a one-on-one basis. He allows them to touch him, pull his hair, and feel his face. And then he listens to their chatter intently and patiently with no expectation; that gives them the confidence to open up to him in a way they wouldn't with any human being.” Charlie, she avows, has made a considerable difference to the lives of these children. However, there are many miles yet to cover. Dr. Krishna points out, “A Dr. Dog must be spayed/neutered. Private pet owners are reluctant to do so. Then comes the lack of trained therapists. In animal-assisted activities the therapists are either too scared of the dogs or do not know how to use them effectively. Dogs should not be used like a toy or a plaything, they have a far greater role.” Dr. Priyadarshini Govind adds that since a dog does not live as long as its owner, an impaired individual will constantly need new dogs. There are financial costs involved which not all institutes can afford. A telling case of the advantages of canine help in breaking barriers is that of Nivedh Kumar's. Nivedh, who has ASD is a talented boy who plays the drums and keyboards and sings classical Indian music. According to Rashmi (his mother), Nivedh has been blessed by the arrival of Snuffles. Besides helping him to be rid of his fear for dogs, Snuffles proved therapeutic in several ways. Rashmi says being with Snuffles taught Nivedh responsibility and sensitivity towards other's needs. It took a month for him to even touch her, but once that bridge was crossed, he started filling water and food in her bowl, making sure she stays cool, and even physically expressing his affection for her. For a child who cringed at touching her or (coming in contact with anything wet and sticky), this transformation is indeed remarkable. Snuffles has provided a platform for Nivedh to communicate and get in touch with his own feelings. Rashmi's heartfelt advice to parents dealing with special children is, “A dog is not an additional responsibility. They offer unconditional love. Why would you not want to be a part of the love story?” If testimonials and reports aren't persuasive enough, then watch “After Thomas,” a movie that promises to crack even the hardest shell of apprehension. Adapted from a true story about the life-changing influence of a Labrador retriever on an autistic child, this evocative movie beautifully encapsulates the principles of animal-assisted therapy. Years of research and experience have now proven the positive effects of AAT beyond dispute. It is therefore critical that the practice of AAT receive greater acknowledgement in the country and be made available to its population which is in dire need of relief. FASHION Spice Up With Stlye PUJA B. SUBRAMANIAM is a young entrepreneur who runs an engineering consultancy firm, Bolster Engineering Solutions. Winner of the CavinKare Ability Mastery Award 2010, Puja is always smartly turned out and in complete command of herself — a picture of poise and self- assurance. An impeccable dresser and a stickler for presentability, she has amply demonstrated that disability does not translate to dreariness; you can wear your spirit on your sleeve and wear it well. Puja, a repository of useful tips for the dapper dresser, has come out of her closet with some pointers to boost your fashion and comfort quotient. I still remember, as a teen I bought a jazzy outfit for myself. At home when I was trying to put it on, it got stuck above my knee braces leaving me with no way to pull them down. Adding to my disappointment, my grandmother tossed a perplexing question at me “Why are you after fashion when it is not meant for you?” This seemingly simple question gave rise to other questions: Why has no one ever thought of fashion keeping disability in mind? Why are there no outlets offering wardrobe solutions for the disabled? Well, being a wheelchair user, these questions confront me to this day when I set out to pick a wardrobe for myself, and although I don't have the answers yet, over time, I have found my own ways of tackling them. Wear Your Way Realise the power of clothing as it is both a camouflage and a statement. Most persons with disabilities disconnect with fashion either due to social conditioning that indoctrinates the idea that a person with physical limitations need not look attractive and desirable, or due to external influences like the non-availability of special-needs clothing in the Indian market. Turning down new patterns, colours, and cuts for fear of becoming

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 79 FASHION conspicuous will only eat away your self-esteem. Looking good certainly makes you noticeable but for a positive reason, not just for drawing attention. So do not hesitate to get dressed your way. While selecting your clothes, make sure they enhance your appearance and complement your personality. Be experimental with your wardrobe and keep updating it according to trend and season. To facilitate this, avoid buying clothes in bulk. Making a small purchase every couple of months is a good way to give oneself a fresh look with every changing trend and season. Adapt to Independence Clothes for a person with special needs should have a blend of trendiness, comfort, and ease of wear. Getting such unique attire at times becomes difficult as adaptive clothing options are not available in Indian markets. Yet, we shouldn't compromise on our looks while we wait for retailers to start addressing the issue. The world may need redesigning but in the meantime let's celebrate by acknowledging our own style and poise. Tips For Wheelchair Users When you are picking out your wardrobe, choose front-closure zippers, easy-to-step-into clothes, or easy over the-head styles as these are helpful for those with weakened arm muscles and restricted mobility. If such clothing isn't readily available, then opt for tailor made outfits. Here are a few alternatives that can really work wonders in giving you great looks without compromising comfort. For a wheelchair user who can make their transfers independently or with little assistance, side- zip pants are very useful. These zippers are bilateral and 22 inches long, making them very manageable. Opt for the comfort fit for lower-wear, which will reduce the effort of pulling the garment up. Attach wrist or finger loops on the waist band to facilitate pulling. Loops can also be put on fly zippers to help move them up and down with ease. You can often find really attractive zipper pulls for jackets. So get them attached and be free of the struggle of using zips. Use velcro strips at the waist in place of buttons to resolve issues with grip. The most popular fastener for adaptive clothing is velcro, but snap buttons are another option. Snaps give a considerably cleaner and more “normal” look to clothing, but the ease of handling depends on the type of disability. Opt for elastic waist jeans, pants, or slacks as they are extremely comfortable to wear and look stylish as well. Fortunately, we have a lot of them in the market these days. If fastening buttons of shirts is another challenge, then these buttons can be replaced with velcro or snap buttons. To maintain the original look of the shirt, attach the FASHION buttons on the top flap of the shirt with the velcro or snaps concealed underneath. The problem of the backs of pants sliding down can be solved by buying trousers with the backs extra high. High-back pants ensure full coverage while in the sitting position. If they are not available in the market, have them tailored to your specifications. One common problem of wheelchair users who wear coats and jackets is that they fold up in front creating an ungainly pouch while sitting. A smart way of escaping that ugly fabric fold is to make slits in the side seams. This will ensure that the jacket is nicely fitted at the front and that there is enough space around the hips for movement. Another way to avoid the coat from pouching is by making slits in the back piece of the jacket. Also keep the length of the coat or jacket short for a neat look. Fabric The absorbency of material is an important criterion while dealing with an oft-encountered problem — perspiration. Sitting on a wheelchair for long hours gets uncomfortable if dressed in synthetic fabrics. Fabrics with a better absorbing capacity will be more comfortable when worn. In order for the outfit to remain neat, make sure that the fabric is wrinkle-free and easy to maintain. It shouldn't crinkle from long hours of sitting. A Word of Caution If you prefer Indian wear like churidars and sarees, then keep the attire well tucked and pinned. Make sure that while being seated in the wheelchair, your clothes don't sweep the floor. Avoid clothes that might get stuck in your wheelchair, braces, or crutches. How you carry yourself is as important as what you wear. So be smart in handling your attire; never wear something that you will have to struggle with, making you look clumsy. Another important consideration is the fit of your dress. Clothes should not be too long, too short, too tight, or too loose. A proper and comfortable fit is a very important factor of smart dressing. Your clothes should offer you room for free hand and leg movement. Feel Gorgeous Beauty is not defined by a perfect body or fair skin; true beauty is the glow of your indomitable soul that reflects in your personality. Having an impaired body does not necessitate being clad in dull colours and conventional clothes. Be a part of this style-conscious world. All that is needed is a knack (or acquired ability) for smart dressing and a deep trust in the beauty of your spirit. Appearance is not something to be ashamed of, but a celebration of strength and dignity. Go ahead, create your wardrobe solutions and make your style statement in this fashion conscious world.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 81 SAVOIR FAIRE COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES IN CHILDREN DR. VASANTHA PATRI Some children do not develop speech as easily as others. Sometimes, they do not find it easy to understand the meaning of certain words or gestures. These problems are examples of communication difficulties. When a child has a communication difficulty, it may be necessary to get help from teachers, speech pathologists, and other professionals. Communication problems occur when children have difficulty with speech sounds (saying the words clearly or correctly), speaking fluently (without hesitating or stuttering), using words and grammar (rules about word order and use), putting words together to let others know what they think or want, and also understanding what others say. SAVOIR FAIRE Children with an expressive communication or language problems have trouble giving (or expressing) information in a way that others can easily understand. They may also have trouble learning and remembering words, remembering the rules of grammar and using this to connect words and to make sentences, as well as using language to meet their requirements (such as to ask questions, describe events, give instructions or tell a story). A receptive communication problem means that children have trouble understanding all the information being given to them. There may be difficulty in understanding individual words, especially words that describe sizes relatively (such as big/little) certain phrases, and the information which is put into sentences, questions, longer instructions and descriptions. There are different types of communication difficulties. These problems could be mild, moderate, or severe. Some of them are listed here: speech delay/disorder/impairment language delay/disorder/impairment expressive language disorder receptive language disorder stuttering or dysfluency verbal dyspraxia (difficulty in making muscle movements that are needed for speaking clearly and quickly) semantic/pragmatic disorder (this affects a child's use of language for social purposes) central auditory processing (CAP) disorder (this affects a child's listening and understanding of language) dyslexia Communication problems can be caused by physical factors, syndromes or disabilities that cause delays in development, and acquired brain injury. Some communication problems can be caused by lack of experience or stimulation, or limited opportunities to talk to others. The causes for these three identified problems are listed below: Physical factors: Children with low muscle tone (hypotonic) have trouble coordinating (moving) the muscles of the mouth and tongue to produce clear sounds. Structural problems in the mouth, throat and nose, such as cleft palate prevent clear speech sounds. Conditions that affect nerve and muscle control such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy may make speech difficult or impossible. Repeated ear infections which affect hearing. Syndromes or disabilities that cause delays in development: Some syndromes or disabilities such as autism, affect the development of communication skills. Hearing impairment may make it more difficult for children to develop speech and language. They may require extra support or specialised teaching.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 83 SAVOIR FAIRE Intellectual delay and disability that slows development of speech and language. Sometimes, visual impairments may cause communication lapses, since much of what we say is also communicated through gestures and facial expressions. Acquired brain injury: Acquired brain injury may damage the parts of the brain that deal with communication. Children with an acquired brain injury may lose the ability to speak or understand language. This loss may be temporary or permanent, depending upon the type of injury. Children with acquired brain injury may develop specific learning difficulties that make it harder to learn to organise and express their thoughts. There are ways to identify the causes of communication problems at an early stage and take remedial action. Parents know their children better than anyone else. If a parent feels that the child is struggling to talk or understand speech, the parent should speak to the doctor or local community health centre, child care centre, child health nurse, preschool or school staff or make an appointment with a speech pathologist. Having the child's hearing and sight checked is imperative. The role of a speech pathologist is very crucial to improve communication. If a child has communication problems, a speech pathologist may suggest the use of communication boards or charts, electronic devices such as computers, and symbols, or sign language. Speech pathologists work to identify which areas of speaking and listening need to develop and help children develop those communication skills. Depending on a child's need, a speech pathologist will concentrate on problems with: speaking, including stuttering or sound formation understanding learning words and vocabulary using language appropriately with other people organising words, sounds and sentences to make a clear message. A parent can provide the child with opportunities to practice communicating with his/her peer group by visiting a playgroup, kinder gym, or the local playground; by attending an early intervention program along with the child; by speaking and listening to the child; by spending time playing with, and reading to, the child. Taking professional help would be a step in the right direction. Early intervention is highly recommended as this is a critical step towards rehabilitation. GLOBE TROTTING MOROCCO For Old Time's Sake HARI ADARSH SRIPATHI She is perhaps one of the most desirable members of a dream Hollywood cast. David Lean, often garbed her as Arabia in many of his movies, Ridley Scott used her in “Gladiator”, playing Ancient Rome. As Egypt, she terrified Brendan Fraser in “The Mummy” and she plays motherland to Jesus as Palestine almost by default. She also played a generous host to Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in her famous autobiography, “Casablanca”. I had recently crossed two oceans to start life afresh at the Kellogg School of Management, and within a day faced the prospect of crossing over India and skipping across Europe with a bunch of twenty-five future classmates to a faraway corner of Arabian Africa for a week of cultural sensitisation. Before the journey, Kellogg had imposed upon us a strict rule of silence about matters concerning our origins and career interests, topics that I hitherto had felt were prerequisites to any conversation. The Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca fits into its much fantasised environs rather well as a white Arabesque castle amidst a vast emptiness. From the airport, it is an hour's drive to Casablanca through well laid and uncrowded roads. As our bus rumbled into Casablanca, I noticed a well-ordered city with an apparent grid network of roads, palm lined boulevards, an occasional French advertisement, and numerous apartment complexes with manicured lawns and high separating walls. “It's all the benevolence of our King,” our guide Ishmael would say.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 85 GLOBE TROTTING The beachfront, or La Corniche as the French named it, is a windy well-laid out area made to resemble the French Riviera. An American McDonald's, a French bistro, and numerous Spanish taverns serve the urban elite who often drive down in their cadillacs from their white mansions — which, incidentally, gave the city its name Casa-Blanca or white house. Nightclubs throb and pulse till the wee hours of the night, where suited men and their ladies in waiting make idle chatter clouded by smoke from hookahs. Every table gets its belly-dancer, who will often climb up to show off her incredible skills to the rhythm of hip-hop music. Almost every dance ends with the dancer finishing off in a gravity defying back-arching pose and the reveling audience clapping to the rousing beat. Meanwhile, plebeian Morocco wakes up to the muezzin call from the Hassan II mosque, which punctuates the skyline as a lone skyscraper overlooking the entire city. The majestic mosque when empty seems like an ocean of opulence, with marble and granite floors and Venetian glass chandeliers suspended over a massive courtyard that could, if necessary, house whole neighbourhoods during prayer. The King has his own entrance through a gilded door leading straight to the pulpit, from where he delivers a Ramadan sermon to his subjects. Below the prayer chamber lie the ablution rooms, which contain both water fountains for perfunctory rituals and for more elaborate cleansing, Hammams, which are shallow saunas sunk between marble pillars, in which washing is performed in a community. The prayer hall opens up to the Atlantic ocean; it is said that if you fly west straight enough, you will eventually sight land at New York City. On the road to Marrakech, the hourglass turns back even further. The white porches of Casablanca gradually give way to a desert red, eventually culminating in a terracotta hue, ordained seemingly by nature itself. The road grows slender, the houses disperse, the walls get higher, and palm trees yield to shrubs and cacti of the desert. As we approach the city, the smell of horse dung envelopes us and seems to permeate the air. All of a sudden the bus slows to a crawl as it starts to wend through the rambunctious crowds of men in jelabas and kaftans and women in abayas holding screaming kids. The occasional child makes a grimy face GLOBE TROTTING at the bus, while another chases it down in a mock charge. All roads from here can only lead to the souk or marketplace. The souk of Marrakech is so famous that it has come to mean “an open-air market in an Arabian city” in the English lexicon. All smells, colors, and sounds imaginable congregate at this square of souvenir salesmen, coffee houses, fortune tellers, circus performers, and animal tamers. It is common for a snake to be draped around your neck by the occasional snake charmer and then being charged for the privilege of being able to scream with terror. The only scarier prospect is having a monkey run away with your passport and having to negotiate it back from its owner, in whose open wallet your travel record has found its new home. The souk also is home to mounds of spices heaped up in cones, fruit hawkers, fortune tellers (one of whom told me that my life would improve considerably, which quite perceptibly he told everyone else). Ramshackle stalls are propped up by an assortment of rugs strung together by cobwebs, with the vendors furiously vying for your attention and trying to impose on you curiosities that they parade as antiques. Now and then someone mistook me for a Muslim and wished me a Holy Ramadan. A man whom I had got substantial discounts from earlier with a well orchestrated lie about my devotion to Mecca, caught me gulping down a coffee and glared at my blasphemy. “May Allah take pity on you,” I am sure he said, which to me was at least more credible than the predictions of the fortune teller. The narrow by-lanes flanking the souk have remained unchanged for many centuries. Some shops here, despite being equally decripit, actually sell antiques. Also to be found are spice shops that proclaim remedies for all ailments, including, especially the foreign tourist, the inability to find girlfriends. Carpet shops abound, often occupying pride of place, due to the large tourist traffic generated by them. These carpets are typically hand woven by teenage women of marriageable age, and tell stories of their families, their tribes, and their plaintive longing for the perfect husband. In Moroccan tradition, it is customary for a carpet to be offered as dowry by the bride's family to the groom, who will in exchange provide a few hundred camels. One of my Kellogg classmates, we found out, would have earned at least ten thousand camels. Clearly, MBAs have value in this part of the world too. It was when we drove towards Zagora that the stark realities of Morocco emerged. Despite Ishmael's claims of free education, free healthcare, and the blanket benevolence of the King, Morocco did appear a nation of poverty. In many parts, electricity was scarce and economic activity was sparse. The Atlas Mountains hardly saw a shrub grow and yet there were the stray cottages on the bald lands, which made me wonder where they got their sustenance from. I noticed that most farmers here practised shifting agriculture, whichin itself was quite unsustainable in such an unyielding ecosystem.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 87 GLOBE TROTTING On the other hand, given Morocco's relative peace, it was a haven for tourists. Locations such as Ait- Benhaddou were used every year to play Arabia to indulge Hollywood's imagination. Locals typically earned their wages as spot boys for the elite of Los Angeles, and hence depended heavily on the Western world, demand for middle-eastern themed cinema, which is fortunately on the rise. The last few years have not disappointed. Ait-Benhaddou clearly lived up to the western stereotype of a Bedouin village as a series of mud- brick cottages rising up a hill, surrounded by the vast Sahara, like a civilization clinging to the precipice of one of the world's most daunting environments. In reality however, no one lived there. Over the years, it has become a living Hollywood set waiting for the next movie to be shot. To the east of Ait-Benhaddou, lies the queen of all deserts — the Sahara. Bracing myself for a rough night, I was astounded to find that the Moroccans had made us a camp entire with carpets. Replete with toilets, beds, and showers, it was clearly luxury in the middle of the desert. I often strayed away from the camp to soak up the Sahara night, climbed up the sand dunes and lay down on top of them to look up at the stars, the most I have ever seen in a night sky. The sky above lit the ground below of sand so bereft of humidity that it fell away like gold dust. I sunk into the most comfortable bed I have ever found, and fell asleep under the comforting eiderdown of the Sahara night sky, that is until shortly later, the howling wild dogs taught me better than to get too comfortable. Soon after sunrise, I woke up to see a camel looking at me disdainfully as if disapproving of my late-rising habit. A Berber nomad bade us to sit on top of it to take us right into the desert. Timbuktu, they said, was 52 days away on this very camel route. It surprised me that even to this day Timbuktu was a popular marketplace among desert dwellers. Camel caravans plied the route that on a modern atlas would cross many countries, but to these Berbers who plied this route for trade, it meant as much as the ocean did to the seafaring merchant. Unfortunately, my trip lasted only a few minutes after which we returned to base camp. The Berbers instructed that no one must bid goodbye and turn their back on Sahara as she was a much revered Goddess. So instead, we all said “Insha allah Maa Salaama Sahara” or "Allah willing, until next time Sahara." Something told me as I bid a silent adieu that of all the beautiful places in the world, humanity had found a true motherland in that sea of sand. I felt as if the Sahara knew that I would one day return to pay homage to it again, in this life or the after. After an overdose of Arabia, back in Casablanca, sipping tea at Rick's Café, of Hollywood fame, I heard a movie playing in a strangely familiar tongue saying “Play it again, Sam, for old time's sake.” I wondered, if western music even spoilt the authenticity of Morocco and remembered a song from Aladdin that could be a fitting paean for this sparkling jewel of the Sahara. Oh I come from a land A faraway place Where the caravan camels roam Where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense. It's barbaric. But hey, it's home Where the wind's from the east and the sun's from the west and the sand in the glasspiece is right Come on down, stop on by hop on a carpet and fly to Another Arabian Night! SHORT STORY THE PICKPOCKET TIMERI N. MURARI Timeri Murari is a writer with several years of experience spanning journalism, scriptwriting, fiction and non-fiction writing. He is best known for his works of fiction such as “Taj”, “The Last Victory”, and “Children of the Enchanted Jungle”. The multifaceted author wrote and produced the film “Square Circle”, which received much acclaim at several international film festivals and was voted by Time magazine as 'one of the ten best films of the year’. Timeri Murari also scripts and directs plays. Kant, who named himself after the last syllable of his favourite movie star's name as he did not possess a family name or an ancestral place, and who had escaped from his master, arrived early in the morning by the Pandian Express at Chennai Central station. He had never been in Chennai before, but he had heard it was a city with many prospects for a boy like himself who had honed his talents well. He drifted along with the crowd towards the exit. It was always a good time to pick a pocket, his master, Selvam, a minor history-sheeter with many talents, had taught him. Selvam was also a minor magician and while he distracted his audience, Kant would wander among them, expertly relieving the men of their wallets. Selvam always took all the money and only gave Kant a cuff on his head for not extracting more. It was after one of these performances that Kant decided to run away and try his luck elsewhere. Although he was nearly 14 years old, Kant could not read or write, as he had never been to school. But he was a better magician than Selvam. The previous evening, in Madurai station, he had earned a princely sum of five rupees through his magician's talents. Watching him was an old couple, and Kant was aware that the man had remained intently watching the other tricks before moving on with his wife. When he was in a crowd, it was his habit to watch young children with their parents, and he did this now, making his way towards the exit. He stared with longing, imagining he was that boy who held on to his

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 89 SHORT STORY mother's hand or that boy walking beside his father. How he envied those children. He could have been one of them, walking with his mother and father, holding their hands, feeling the warmth of their love. He used to pray each night that he would find them, and them him. But as years passed he stopped those prayers. He had work to do if he was to survive alone in this huge city. A few steps ahead walked the old couple. He had noticed them again as they'd cautiously clambered down from the second class a/c compartment. The man had tenderly helped his wife down holding her hand and now wheeled their trolley case behind him. Kant had noted the sagging bulge in the left hand pocket of the man's crumpled white kurta; his wife wore a cotton saree, also crumpled from sleeping in it. Kant quickened his pace. The couple stopped suddenly; people collided with them. As Kant passed the old man, he dipped his hand swiftly into the kurta pocket and, with two supple fingers strong as pliers, easily removed the wallet. In almost the same easy motion, he slipped it under his ragged shirt and tucked it into the waist band of his trousers. As he started to quicken his step, the old man called out. “Thambi.” Kant's heart raced, and he was ready to run but the man's voice had not been angry. He had to remain calm. He turned, trying a smile. “Here,” the old man said, holding out an apple. “We would like you to have this.” Kant took it in surprise. He never expected kindness from people. The old woman smiled too. “We thought you looked hungry.” She turned to her husband. “He does look like Prakash, doesn't he?” “Yes, very much like him,” he replied. Kant hurried past them, and didn't look back. He was tense and ready to run, should the old man have noticed the theft and called out. Strangely, instead of feeling gratitude Kant felt anger. People shouldn't surprise him with acts of kindness; there should be a law against that. He wasn't about to return the wallet just because they gave him an apple. There was a rubbish bin by a pillar and quite deliberately Kant dropped the apple into it, getting rid of any guilt that might have contaminated him. He was eager to see what he had stolen. He saw a gap among the shops, slid into it and pulled out his prize. He opened the wallet slowly, peeked in, and sighed with pleasure. There were four one hundred rupee notes, and three ten rupee notes. Stuffed in a separate compartment was a single sheet of paper, about the size of the one hundred rupee note. He didn't look at it. He stuffed the cash in his pocket and dropped the wallet through the railings into the railway compound behind the shops. There, he said to himself, that's what I think of them and their apple. First things first, he was starving. He had not eaten since the SHORT STORY day before. Across the busy road were three or four eateries. He dodged the continuous traffic, and went into the first eatery and grandly ordered a thali. “Where's your money?” the man at the counter demanded. Kant took out a one hundred rupee note and waved it under his nose. Kant ate greedily, and walked out. Further down that footpath was a clothing shop, and Kant, who loved to look stylish and neat, bought a yellow shirt and blue jeans. He changed into them, leaving his ragged old clothes for the shopkeeper to get rid of. Quite naturally, when this initial exploration was over, he gravitated back towards Central station. It would not only be his base until he found another one, but also a source of money. As he entered the station, he stopped suddenly. The old couple was sitting on a bench, looking very sad and beside them was the police constable. The constable had a note book in his hand and was writing down what they told him. Kant started to turn away when he heard the woman call out to him. “Thambi, did you like our apple?” Reluctantly, dragging his feet, avoiding the constable's glance, he returned. “Yes,“ he lied. “What has happened?” The old man sighed. “I have mislaid my wallet.” He turned back to the constable. “It's not the money; there were only a few hundred rupees. But there was a cheque in it and it's our whole life's savings. I sold my ancestral property in Madurai. The buyer gave the cheque for the property and went back to America. We have to pay for our new flat by tomorrow, our final home. Otherwise, we'll be evicted.” “It is a nuisance,” the old woman said, without anger. Nor did she show any anger towards her husband. Kant, who survived so far without any guilty conscience, now wished he had not heard this tale. He quietly drifted away and found himself moving towards the wall of the compound, to where he'd dropped that wallet. He spotted it lying in the dirt. He walked over, looked around—no one was watching—and scooped it up swiftly. Reluctantly, he took the remaining three hundred and twenty rupees from his pocket, and slipped the notes back into the wallet. He hoped the old man wouldn't object to him having some food and new clothes. He tucked the wallet into his waist band under his shirt and strolled back to the station. The woman's bag was by her feet. He would drop the wallet in it. Kant took out his change and dropped the coins so they rolled towards the bag. As he bent over to gather the coins, he brushed past the old man. Kant reached under his shirt. The wallet was gone. He straightened, bewildered. Had it fallen out? It had been there a moment before when he had bent down. As he turned to see if he had dropped it, the constable grabbed him by the neck. “Caught you, you thief!” “Thief!” Kant protested indignantly. “I've not stolen anything

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 91 SHORT STORY You can search me, if you want.” The constable did, very roughly, and didn't find the wallet. The old man rummaged in the bag and brought out an apple and held it out to Kant. As Kant took it, the old man delved back into the bag and pulled out the wallet. His face was level with Kant's, and he winked into Kant's puzzled eyes. The old man held up the wallet, surprise on his face. He smiled apologetically. “The problem with old age is one forgets where one has placed things. I must have put it in my wife's bag. I am so sorry to have caused you all such trouble.” “Please check — is there anything missing?” the constable asked, still holding Kant. Very slowly, the old man counted the money. Kant wriggled. Now, he was in trouble; he was stupid to have returned. But he was curious. How did the wallet end up in the bag and why had the old man lied? “Nothing is missing,” the old man said. “And the cheque?” the constable asked.. “That's here too.” Reluctantly the constable released Kant, and left. “Thank you for returning my wallet,” the old man said “You knew I'd stolen it?” Kant said. “Oh yes, you were the only one who could have. I knew you'd come back to the station after you'd spent some money. When I saw you go away and return again, I knew you had my wallet and that you have a good heart.' “But how did it get in the bag?” “I picked it from your trouser band. I saw you performing in Madurai station,” the old man said, and his wife nodded smiling. “You're not a bad magician. I could teach you to be a great magician and not live the life of a pick-pocket.” “He looks just like Prakash when he's puzzled,” the wife commented. “Teach me?” Kant asked warily. “Who are you to teach me?” “I was one of the greatest magicians of all when I was young,” the old man said with quiet pride. “I was known as Mandrake the Magician — it was a name I took from a comic book. I travelled all over the world, performing my magic.” “So who's this Prakash you keep talking about?” Kant asked. The old woman said. “He's a scientist and lives in America. We have not seen him for many years now. He hated magic.” “'It's only a cheap illusion,' he told me” the old man said. “But everything in life is an illusion.” They gathered their bags and moved towards the autorickshaw stand. Kant remained watching them, wondering what he should do. The old man turned. “Well, are you coming with us so I can teach you to be a great magician? Or will you stay here and be a bad pickpocket?” Warily, Kant said, “You're not going to treat me like a servant?” “Of course not!” said the wife. “You look too much like our Prakash, our son.’ REFLECTION LOVE & REGRETS SAI PRASAD VISHWANATHAN It was around 3 a.m. on a rainy night. The moon was playing hide and seek in the dark clouds. A cool breeze blew languorously, stroking my face as I sat alone in my room, by the window, with a book in my hand.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 93 REFLECTION Following our love is painful. Forgetting our love is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering,” I read. Something about those lines struck me hard and made me feel uneasy. Something about those lines made me immediately want to close the novel without reading any further. There was something in those lines that took me into my past. “Given a chance Sai, I would want a life in which I have no desires and regrets,” said one of my best friends, during a casual conversation. “I want neither happiness nor misery. I will take whatever life has to offer and live without regret. That is the best way to live,” my friend finished. It seemed a beautiful thought. Then again, something about those words pinched me as soon as I heard them. “Is that possible?” I asked my friend immediately. “A life without regrets… Is that possible at all?” I asked again. “Yes Sai, all you need is a lot of mental strength and a bad memory!” replied my friend jocularly, making me shelve further thought for the time being. The conversation moved on as did our lives, but those words continued to haunt me through the years. Tonight, as I read the lines in the novel, they stirred the embers of an unanswered question. “Hey heart, are you there?” asked my mind. “Yes dear, I am always there whenever you want to speak to me,” replied my heart kindly. “So, what do you think about it?” asked my mind. “About what ?” asked my heart. “…the regret. I have suffered enough now. I want an answer. Do you think by not desiring anything and by having a bad memory, we can have a life of no regrets?” “Hmmm…What made you think I would have an answer at all to that question ?” asked my heart. “Regret is a 'feeling,' and as you always say, feelings are your department, and only you know and understand them!” replied my mind. “You have become smarter at dealing with me, haven't you…but really, what made you think I can answer that question and answer it right ?” my heart retorted. “Leave the reasoning and judging of its correctness to me. Just answer my question!” commanded my mind. “There you go! You just answered your own question dear, so there is nothing left for me to say” said my heart mysteriously. “Just talk straight and to the point, will you!” said my mind, exasperated. “Dear mind, as you said, regret is certainly a feeling and so, belongs to my department. But unfortunately, when your reasoning, your judging, and your decision making skills use my regretful 'feelings', then things, life, and attitudes change,” said my heart and proceeded to elaborate. “Hmm, let us take the story you're reading for instance. The girl is in love with the boy… love — a feeling. But she does not have the courage to stand by it… courage, a feeling. The absence of courage and the pain of his loss thereafter led her to regret it all…regret, another feeling. Thereafter, she only used regret to make decisions about how her life should be led. She decided, based on regret, that she wouldn't take risks anymore. She decided, based on regret, that she would make herself strong enough to never think of her love again, that she would forget her past. She made and followed all her decisions based on that one feeling — regret — that she REFLECTION wanted to avoid in the future at all cost. And as you see dear, while there were three feelings involved, in the end, she used only regret to make all her decisions and changed her life accordingly,” explained my heart. “So do you say it is wrong?” my mind asked impatiently. “It is not for me to say. To decide whether it is right or wrong is your department. But then, think about what she got from the decisions she made based on regret! She got 'silence' of her heart, which she interpreted as peace, and which she treats as 'no regrets' anymore,” answered my heart calmly. “So what do you say? A life of no regrets is impossible,” persevered my mind. “No dear, it certainly is possible. Every human being is bestowed with two critical abilities — an ability to think, and an ability to feel. Which of the abilities is the master and which of the abilities is the slave, is what makes the difference between loving our life and regretting our life,” replied my heart. “Dear, when you use your thinking to follow my love, when we together exhibit, when we show courage to stand up for what we love, and face pain with strength and endurance, we begin to experience, live, and love life. And in that lovely life, no matter what troubles come our way, no matter how painful and humiliating those troubles, and no matter how many sacrifices need to be made, our love will win. In short, if you follow me and go after what I want, I can lead you to a life where we don't feel any regrets. But if I were forced to follow you and do what you want, I am sure we both will regret it in the end also because to follow your decisions alone is equivalent to accepting that the love I hold in me is something inferior to the thoughts and decisions you make,” said my heart passionately. “How dare you say that! Remember heart, it is my mental strength that keeps you unaffected by failures and safe from hurt. And it is I who gets you the respect people give you. And you say you regret following me!” flashed back my mind angrily. “What mental strength are you talking about? It is you. It is not me who needs other's respect. Remember, in the end, the people whose respect you crave and whose decisions affect you so are impermament. The only person who will be with you is me. With an 'empty' and 'silent' me, all you can do in the end is feel regret. On the contrary, if you were to follow me, not let what people say weigh you down, not be scared of the challenges that come your way, then in the end when you and I are alone, I'd have love, you'd have memories, and together we would have 'lived,'” said my heart. “Who on earth would understand that I was following you and that I would in the end not regret anything I do? Who would respect me for it?” asked my mind. “Sai, as long as you understand yourself and follow your love, even if the whole world thinks you are crazy, it will make no difference to you. But then if you don't understand yourself and cannot, in the end, justify what you did with your life, even if the whole world respects and understands you, it would make no difference to you,” my heart explained gently. My mind didn't reply. I moved to my table, calmly opened and began reading the novel again. And as I turned page after page, to read what the girl in the story eventually decided to do, the storm in my heart subsided and a torrent fell from my eyes.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 95 ABILITY FOUNDATION Ad SMILE AWHILE TAKE ME HOME, Chennai Roads RANJITHA ASHOK Ranjitha Ashok wrote in the debut issue of Success and Ability. She has since worked on several book projects with famous historian S. Muthiah besides working as a freelance writer and columnist for The Hindu. She recently published her book Chennai Latte– A Madras Brew, which was a compilation of her columns in Madras Musings. Her interests also encompass dance and theatre productions. We at “Success & ABILITY” asked her to contribute to our 15th anniversary issue as she had done to the inaugural one. Here she has used this occasion for a wonderful homecoming of her sparkling wit and humour.

Success & ABILITY OCT – DEC 2010 97 SMILE AWHILE There's a song for everything these days. Noodles, cement, and of course, mega sporting events. Nothing like music to create the right atmosphere, infuse enthusiasm, instill courage…which is why you've been thinking of late that human movement through Chennai traffic deserves an inspiring song. After all, every time you step out of your house, you are like a soldier manoeuvring through hostile territory and could do with some mood-enhancers. Like every other aspect of this delightful city, our traffic too has a personality and mind of its own. And the folks who make up these herd movements have a happy, insouciant attitude towards rules and regulations, which makes it all the more unpredictable and interesting. Once you accept that, you'll never be thrown into a panic just because you see a vehicle proceeding merrily against traffic flow. Look, the authorities put up road dividers wherever they please and expect hardworking, pressed-for-time citizens to go up and down looking for legal U-turns. It is only to be expected that the said citizens will have their own individual views on this…bit much, to be expected to go all the way around. This is exactly the “reasoning” that leads to pedestrians suddenly sprouting the wings of a dove and trying to float over barriers…they couldn't be bothered hoofing it all the way to a legitimate pedestrian crossing. The fact that having people unexpectedly descending from the skies right in front of their vehicles may prove a trifle upsetting to drivers is, of course, not their concern. Just as no one pays any attention to the fact that having people suddenly leap off footboards from those big, scary buses in front could cause mini heart-attacks to those inside the vehicles cruising alongside. Look, Chennai traffic is not for the easily-shaken. You need nerves of steel — the reinforced kind. Especially at intersections, where six lanes suddenly appear where there ought to have been only two — like some sort of manic monster out of a sci-fi movie, with allthe little gaps inbetween filled with vehicles slim enough to slip through. Intersections are fun. Most road users apparently believe that honking long and loud near signal lights will make the pretty colours change, and you never know when some SMILE AWHILE free-thinker will opt to keep going even if lights are against him. For sheer simple-minded entertainment, there's nothing like watching an oblivious soul using his hands-free phone, looking like he's having an engrossing conversation with himself, not realising that the lights have changed. Sure enough, in less than half a second, about 700 horns inform him…in unison. His expression will keep you laughing for days. And then there are those who block free left turns, completely unconcerned about the desperate souls behind, who curse, blow horns, with no effect. Sometimes, the offender in front will move just an inch — adding insult to injury. This is a society that finds it hard to stay in queue....probably something to do with DNA. The “Me-first-Me- first” shows everywhere — and traffic lanes are no exception. Negotiating traffic here in the city is a severe test of personality. Ask yourself — are you a timorous wuss who's easily bullied, or a masala-movie-hero type who can vanquish twenty rogues with one dishoom? Are you easy to bait, or are you a cool, centred soul, who, having read every self-help book there is, is now completely frozen into eternal calm? Do you assault your passengers' ears with particularly colourful Madras bashai while driving, all directed against your fellow road-users? Do you go berserk if someone draws up too close, or overtakes on the wrong side, yet never tell yourself that as long as your side-view mirrors are safe and the sides of your vehicle haven't been shorn off, you should keep going? Do you still believe that the populace respects indicators? (If so, you need a reality check). There are two distinct schools of thought — those who believe that roadsides are for walking, as are pavements (if you can find them beneath all the rubbish and pools of stagnant water). Then there's the other school which believes that as long as they have a vehicle, they are the rulers of the road…and they'll ride merrily even on pavements if they get tired of waiting for traffic to clear. Roads themselves add to the sense of adventure — sudden potholes, speed breakers that could give Everest a complex, and unexpected one-ways. If being on time is important to you, you'll need to factor in an extra fat chunk of time to allow for delays, processions, dignitary visits or just plain old mess. And so back to the song... Incidentally, all commuters are allowed their own special keep-your-spirits-going number. Some suggestions? How about an oldie from that bygone disco era? (all those out there who were young in the late 70s and early 80s, if you remember the tune, do try to sing along, although the words have been tweaked, obviously.) First I was afraid I was petrified Kept thinking I could never beat All this traffic by my side But I've spent so many times Weaving in and out of this throng I've grown strong I've learned to carry on I will survive Something like that? No? Okay — you can always choose the more serious We Shall Overcome. See that two-wheeler? Someone forgot to teach the rider left from right… Quick, start singing.

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