People of Value

Sheetal Gaekwad

Around this time three years ago, Sheetal Gaekwad had just passed her SSC examinations and the only thing on her mind was securing admission to a good junior college in the Commerce stream. As for her parents, a college admission for their polio-afflicted daughter was the last thing on their mind. Sheetal's father, Shantaram Gaekwad, was worried about her safety.

"But I did not budge from my decision. It had to be college and nothing else. Finally, they relented," says Sheetal. Of course, the family takes all possible precautions. Sheetal's mother helps her down six flights of stairs from their home and walks her to the rickshaw stand. A landline telephone, which was an unthinkable luxury in the modest Gaekwad home, has been installed for Sheetal's benefit.

"What if she is done early with college? She shouldn't have to wait at the rickshaw stand for a long time. She can call me up any time to pick her up," says her mother. Now starting her second year at the Mulund College of Commerce, Sheetal has settled into a comfortable routine. And her experiences through school are evidence that she adjusts remarkably well to change.

Sheetal was just three-years-old and living in her native village in Raigad when she was afflicted by polio. As the condition of her legs worsened, the family moved to Mumbai and rented a house near Mulund, so she could have access to better medical facilities.

Sheetal's condition never improved but she was lucky to find a school that she grew to like a lot. She still shares a close relationship with the principal and teachers of the Jidd Special School, Thane, which she attended till class VII.

"I loved going to that school. My teachers encouraged me to do whatever I wanted, in spite of my disability," she says. So she enthusiastically participated in many activities, including singing, theatre and even dance.

"Sheetal is a bright girl and I am proud that she is smoothly making her way through college as well," says Shyamashree Bhonsle, principal, Jidd Special School.

After she switched schools in class VIII (the special school had classes only till class VII), it took some time to adjust to a ‘normal' school.

"I had to work harder as the syllabus was tougher and studies were taken more seriously," says Sheetal, who managed to cope well and earn a decent score in her SSC exams.

Now 19, Sheetal has learned to ignore her disability and face life cheerfully. Travelling alone is a big risk that she has to overcome everyday and it gets tougher in the monsoon, but you'll never hear her complain.

"I try not to get bogged down whenever I fall or hurt myself. So what if I fall? Everybody falls and gets hurt at some point," she says.

The recent power crisis brought additional problems for Sheetal. The power outages  meant that the college elevator did not work, and she could not travel up or down the college floors.

"My lectures got over early once and I was stuck on the second floor because of the power cut. A supervisor, who'd come to college for an exam, carried me down. I don't even know her name. But I'm thankful for people like her who go out of their way to help me," she says.

And while she always accepts such help with gratitude, Sheetal ultimately wants to be completely independent, one step at a time. And the first step, for now, is a commerce degree.

Source: Sai Raje, In a league of her own, Hindustan Times, June 05, 2007

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Mohammad Ragib Imam

Education is a must! And Mohammad Ragib Imam (19) from Nawada district in Bihar, is no exception to accepting this truth. Imam has a disability quotient of 85% and assisted by his elder brother Zafar Igbal (28) is seeking admission in Delhi University. Ragib has applied to Mathematics and Physics courses in most colleges in Delhi University but has his hopes rested on St. Stephen's and Hindu College.

Having travelled all the way from Bihar, the two brothers are staying with their uncle Mohammad Asif, a watch–maker in Loni. "Coming from a very poor family, we do not even have money for bus travel but we had to find a way out," stated Zafar with determination.

"Our uncle gave us his bicycle, which was the answer to our problems. It is a long ride to and from the university in the

scorching heat, taking us about three hours one way, but to achieve success without struggle would be wishful thinking," he added.

Zafar is a teacher at an elementary school in Bihar and has appeared for the Public Service Commission (PSC) exams there. Ragib, a witty person as described by his elder brother, had something to say too.

"My brother is helping me a lot but I feel I am helping him more. Cycling about 50 kilometres daily and then carrying me on his shoulders in the campus, has surely made him fit and athletic. The secret of his entry into the PSC would be me," he joked as the two brothers looked at each other and laughed.

Source: Braveheart student with polio, distance for admission, Hindustan Times, 15 June 2007

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Joginder Singh Saluja

Joginder Singh Saluja, popularly known as Bittu, stands out among the thousands of students who are crowding the Delhi University these days. In spite of being physically challenged, the second year student is helping out other disabled youth like him who have made it to the university against heavy odds.

“The students who come here have the same problems that I have. I can understand requirements better than anyone else,” says Bittu, who counsels new entrants on the intricacies of the registration process.

In spite of suffering from locomotors disability from his childhood, Bittu bagged the Mr. India title in the 2006-07 power-lifting championship held at Jaipur. A student of second year BA programming at SGTB Khalsa College, Bittu wants to set himself as a source of inspiration for others like him. Like any other physically challenged person, Bittu has had his share of jeers and taunts from people who do not know him too well. “I have survived all that and I want others like me to do the same,” he says, his crutches firmly by his side. He is currently in charge of the gym at Khalsa College.

Bittu feels that being should not be a deterrent in achieving goals. “Physically challenged students need some guidance. They have many special qualities, which need to be explored. Most people in society react to them in a negative way. When I started going to the gym, all the other fellows would laugh at me. But as I had confidence and will power, I surprised everyone by sticking it out,” says Bittu, who now wants to set up a gym for physically challenged persons.

Bittu drives a scooter fitted with an extra wheel and drives a car with automatic gears, specially designed for him. He says that the biggest problem of physically challenged candidates is their mobility. “I advise them to opt for colleges which provide hostel facilities.”

Source: Mr. India. Delhi Mid Day, June 7, 2007.

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