From the States

Kanpur

New Delhi

Patna

The blind to get electronic sight

A group of IITians have developed a device which will alert blinds of any obstacle on their way while moving. According to them the blind man's stick is an outdated device, and so they developed a technologically advanced cane.

This device has been given a name Drishti - it warns about the obstacle within a range of 900 mm and it can be put on in form of gloves, waistband or event in shoes. Master of design course student at IIT, Kanpur, Paridhi Verma said that the device functions on the basis of the Pythagoras theorem and covers the maximum possible range.

Parag Bhoyar (member of the group) said that the ultrasonic proximity sensor installed on the device emits signals which, on encountering an obstacle, are reflected and the signals get amplified in the device and the output comes in the form of a beep or vibration so that on hearing the beep, a person can divert the route or stop.

The group incurred expenses of about Rs. 1000 in the development of the device but it would cost about Rs. 700 if produced on amass scale. Its cost would further go down and make it affordable for a common man if the device is based on micro computer and printed circuit board.

Source: The blind to get electronic Drishti, The Times of India, Mumbai, 28 April 2005.

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NGOs of Political leaders

'Sangarsh' society held a meeting to provide education and financial help to poor and handicap children.

On this occasion, Mr. Amardeep Mathur (secretary of Youth congress Delhi and President of kisan yuva morcha) said that the main aim of their society is to help poor and handicap children, he also announced to give Rs. 21000 as donation to the society for the help of handicap children.

In the end, Mrs. Kamla Chowdhary also, announced that cycles will be distributed among the handicap children very soon.

Source: Viklang tatha garib bachcho ki sahayta hetu bethak, Punjab Kesri, New Delhi, 29 April 2005.

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Disabled staff get 'raw deal' from GAIL

Gas authority of India limited (GAIL) is in the eye of storm over the abrupt dismissal of four of its disabled employees. Rajpal, Rajeev Kumar and Pushpa Kumari who are visually impaired and Anju Thapliyal who has a hearing-impairment were dismissed on January 30, 2004, allegedly without being given any reasons. All the four had been working as trainees with the company for almost three years.

After the issue was brought to its notice in October 2004, the petroleum ministry reportedly advised GAIL to create supernumerary positions for the four. However, this is yet to happen, allege sources. The matter has once again been highlighted with Javed Abidi of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People, announcing a fast unto death starting May 5, if the four are not reinstated by then.

GAIL, however, claims that it has done everything possible to provide adequate opportunities to the four. According to the company's spokesperson, they could only be considered for employment under the Disability Act of 1995 through special employment exchanges (SEE).

"A total of 5, 032 applicants were short-listed for the written test which was conducted on October 3, 2004, Call letters were issued to these four also. But they did not appear for the written test and continued to take legal recourse," said the spokesperson.

STOP PRESS: 6/05/05

The Minister for Petroleum, Mani Shankar Aiyar, had called a meeting today, at 5:30 pm in his office, where he personally met with the four disabled people who had been discriminated against. Abidi was also present in the meeting.

The Minister explained the facts and circumstances of the matter and asked the four concerned disabled people to accept the offer of employment in I.G.L. The disabled people were assured that their seniority will be protected and that they will start on the same scale at which they had been dismissed from G.A.I.L. They would thus not lose out on any perks or benefits. It was also clarified that the job at I.G.L. would be permanent in nature. The Additional Secretary, M.S. Srinivasan, was also present in this meeting.

After listening to the Minister and considering the fact that he himself had intervened, the four disabled people decided to accept the offer. They thanked the Minister for his concern and for going out of the way to help them.

Source: Disabled staff get 'raw deal' from GAIL, The Times of India, New Delhi, 30 April 2005 And; Justice is finally done: Offer of employment at I.G.L. accepted, www.dins.org, 6 May 2005.

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La-ilaaj marizon ke liye vardaan hai stem cell therapy

Till a few months back, Mr. Sudhakar (28) lay on his bed like a dead body. He entered this vegetative state after an incorrectly performed operation that lead to a broken spinal cord, which further caused him paralysis. Then Sudhakar's family heard of Stem Cell Therapy and found that its initiation help their son to speak again and even drag his wheelchair around, himself.

What are the Stem cells? Stem cells are cells that have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells for as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each "daughter" cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

In Delhi, this experiment is being conducted in Newtech Mediworld, managed by Dr. Geeta Shroff.

Source: La-ilaaj marizon ke liye vardaan hai stem cell therapy, Navbharat Times, New Delhi, 28 April 2005

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Price of ignorance (Part II)

Praveen Manjhi who had been caged for 9 months (http://www.disabilityindia.org/djstates05A.cfm#jammu ) by his parents is now under treatment at the Ranchi Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS).

Not surprisingly, Praveen's behavior has changed since he arrived at the hospital. He appears free and gentle, recounting his experience to those who cared to listen. The family is happy and worried - worried about the mounting expenditure of the treatment - who will pay for it?

Till the date neither any department nor any NGO have come forward to take the responsibility to pay the dues.

Source: Mentally disturbed man kept in a cage, Navbharat Times and Hindustan, New Delhi, 27 April 2005.

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