I wish to throw down the gauntlet to our politicians in Chennai. I challenge any of them to carry on a normal full workload, but confined to a wheelchair for a full week. I'll make demands of varying levels of `toughness' so they see how one section of their electorate across the financial spectrum lives.
On their first day, they may come to work in their chauffeur-driven car. The trick here will be how they navigate the steps and the toilets, and find ways of entering buildings which do not have ramps.
On their second day, they will have to fly to a different city for a meeting, and take an evening flight back home.
At the end of the third day, they will need to attend a function in a typically inaccessible hotel, go to a movie or a concert, and finally have dinner in a restaurant which is NOT in a five-star hotel.
On the fourth day, they will have to take an approximately three hour train journey to a neighbouring town, attend a meeting in a community hall there, and come back by train. (Entering and getting off the train will be one of the special joys to be experienced here.)
On the fifth day, they will go to work by public transport and do a full day's work. They could use public buses or the fancy new metro, whose praises our newspapers are so full of.
I believe a similar regimen has been used for newly recruited IAS officers and legislators in Odisha. What prompted this mail was (a) my trip to Delhi for a two-day meeting at what is often considered the `premier' science academy of the country, at the end of which, my wheelchair almost came undone and is undergoing a serious overhaul, so that I will be ready to go for another meeting in Mumbai next week-end (my body revolting in various ways all the time, from upset stomachs to aching limbs), and (b) a friend of mine sending an email suggesting that we follow the example where the mayor of Reykjavik has promised to go out and navigate the city centre before long - in response to an online challenge from a disabled person (sic) to go about his daily business in a wheelchair.
In the next weeks, they can try going blindfolded or with their ears stuffed with cotton wool so they can't hear!
On their first day, they may come to work in their chauffeur-driven car. The trick here will be how they navigate the steps and the toilets, and find ways of entering buildings which do not have ramps.
On their second day, they will have to fly to a different city for a meeting, and take an evening flight back home.
At the end of the third day, they will need to attend a function in a typically inaccessible hotel, go to a movie or a concert, and finally have dinner in a restaurant which is NOT in a five-star hotel.
On the fourth day, they will have to take an approximately three hour train journey to a neighbouring town, attend a meeting in a community hall there, and come back by train. (Entering and getting off the train will be one of the special joys to be experienced here.)
On the fifth day, they will go to work by public transport and do a full day's work. They could use public buses or the fancy new metro, whose praises our newspapers are so full of.
I believe a similar regimen has been used for newly recruited IAS officers and legislators in Odisha. What prompted this mail was (a) my trip to Delhi for a two-day meeting at what is often considered the `premier' science academy of the country, at the end of which, my wheelchair almost came undone and is undergoing a serious overhaul, so that I will be ready to go for another meeting in Mumbai next week-end (my body revolting in various ways all the time, from upset stomachs to aching limbs), and (b) a friend of mine sending an email suggesting that we follow the example where the mayor of Reykjavik has promised to go out and navigate the city centre before long - in response to an online challenge from a disabled person (sic) to go about his daily business in a wheelchair.
In the next weeks, they can try going blindfolded or with their ears stuffed with cotton wool so they can't hear!
Twitted it Sunder Sir, Time people take up such challenges probably more in a rainy day!
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