Author: Dipankar Ghose
Publication: The India Express
Date: August 21, 2011
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/blind-but-following-anna-all-the-way/834862/0
They had never seen Anna Hazare, and nor could
they see the number of his supporters who had gathered at the Ramlila Maidan.
But the 50-member team of visually impaired students that arrived around 11
am on Saturday were not only among the most vocal of the people present, but
possibly also the most knowledgeable on the Jan Lokpal Bill.
"All the students who I have brought
here have read both the government's bill and the Jan Lokpal Bill in Braille.
As none of them wanted to be left behind in the movement, they pestered me
to bring them," said Gaurav Anand, teacher at the National Association
for the Blind in RK Puram.
For these students, keeping track of the events
at the Hazare campaign is a matter of pride. Soham Singh, who has only 5 per
cent vision in his left eye, said, "It took us longer to read the two
drafts, but we did it because it was important for us."
Sailesh Kumar, one of the blind students,
said the group had joined Hazare's fight against corruption for very practical
reasons. He said, "The physically handicapped have always been an easy
target for the corrupt. Seats that are reserved for us are often given away
to general category students who can afford to pay for them. We believe that
Anna's cause can help us as well as much as it helps anyone else."
A volunteer was heard telling the group, "I
am so happy that you have come. I have sons at home who think they have no
part to play in the protest. But your presence will help inspire them to come.
Thank you."
Arvind Gaur, theatre activist and member of
Hazare's core team, also appreciated their efforts. He said, "We are
privileged to have them amid us. Nobody is excluded from this movement, and
they embody this fact."
The visually challenged students stayed till
3.30 in the afternoon, spending close to five hours at the site. They may
not have seen themselves as different, but for everyone else, they were undoubtedly
special.