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Let us Redefine 'Normal'
by Ramendra Kumar 

Like every year this year too 3rd December was observed as the International Day of the Disabled.

Programs were conducted in educational institutions in which the talent of the ‘Children of the Lesser God’ was showcased. Politicians, bureaucrats, media persons, intellectuals were invited to sit on the dais. They even waxed eloquence on the talent of the ‘challenged’ children. They talked about their grit, determination and the will to win. They called upon humankind to understand the plight of the disabled. After the speech the stalwarts gave away prizes grinning patronizingly, posed for photos, patted a few backs, whispered a word or two, made sure the media got the right angles and then went away to lead their ‘normal’ lives.

The attitude of these so called normal people was one of pity, of commiseration, not empathy. It appeared as if they were gloating inside that they, and those close to them were normal, and were not like the ones they had patronized recently.

But tell me can you call the Page 3 personalities like the politicians, the bureaucrats, our cricketers and film stars normal?

The politicians make promises, beg and beseech for votes and also indulge in booth capturing, bribery and goondaism. Once they are elected obviously the promises are forgotten and they get busy in filling up their coffers. It is obviously a question of getting a return on investment ASAP. They have spent millions to come to power so obviously they have to earn billions before the next election is announced.

And this is not the only ‘normal’ activity they indulge in. To stay in power they change loyalties, tread upon the aspirations of the common man, indulge in every imaginable crime all with a holier than thou attitude.

The bureaucrats are not very far behind. They are supposed to be the custodians of democracy but they themselves tear all democratic principles to shreds. Income tax and vigilance officials whose duty is to fight against corruption have been caught taking bribes and hoarding assets far beyond their means. Policemen who are to safeguard the interests of the society, many times torture citizens for their own selfish ends. The list is endless.

The cricketers, the film stars who are the role models for millions join hands with the enemies of the nation for a ‘few dollars more’. While millions of anxious eyes and ears wait for our cricketers to create magic on the field their attention is either on fixing matches or on making extra money peddling health food, TVs and washing machines. The celluloid super heroes on their part go on drunken binges, trampling over pavement dwellers or killing endangered deer for sport.

And yet none of these personalities is labelled as abnormal or challenged in anyway. How come, I wonder. The Page 3 celebrities are the ones who should be termed abnormal or disabled or challenged – since the are selfish, self-centered and have a warped outlook towards life. They give back to the world much less than what they get from it.

The so called disabled or abnormal souls are far more ‘normal’, are far less challenged than these perverted individuals. The differently able make the best of a terrible situation to emerge triumphant. They don’t exploit, they don’t torture, they don’t traumatize, rather they inspire and enthuse all of us.

That is why my friends this December 3, the International Day of the Disabled let us redefine the words normal and abnormal. Let us give a rethink as to who is challenged and who isn’t? Let us salute the Beethovens, the Kellers and Hawkins among us. Let us not call Page 3 personalities and put them on the dais. Let us instead put these captains courageous, intrepid warriors on stage and clap for an endless encore....

You will be pleased to learn that BoloKids, your favorite site, has been approached by CRY (Child Relief and You) to support the organization in its noble efforts. BoloKids is more than happy to extend a helping hand and you will find the banner of CRY on this site. Not only that, I also have an article on Child Rights and You, which, I am confident, you will find stimulating as well as thought provoking. Considering that 10th December is Human Rights Day, this article is both extremely relevant as well as topical.   

December 4, 2005

Image courtesy : kcrc.com

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