MUST READ: Tale of Blind inmate of Home for Blinds….

Ferozepur, December 2, 2012: With the non-joining of two blinds on their appointment in Education Department (ED), the blind inmate of Home for the Blinds, Ferozepur, Vinod Kumar, is yet to receive his appointment letter as Tabla Player in Education Department, being the next senior most candidate for the available post. 

Speaking to this correspondent, Vinod Kumar said, “In the second week of November, he personally met DPI (Schools) in Chandigarh, who informed him, till such time the candidates who have not joined gives in writing, the case of the next persons in merit cannot be considered”.

To his query that a cut-out date should be fixed for joining and after the appointment to the next candidate should be issued, DPI(S) asked him to giving in writing and to the surprise of Vinod Kumar, none helped him to write an application to the be given to DPI(S) and he is moving from pillar to post to get his appointment as Tabla Player. 

Vinod Kumar further said, “The tall claims of extending benefit to the blinds community and the Persons with Disabilities Act which has very bold provisions for promoting competitive employments for the persons with disabilities, are only on papers. Only the effective implementation of the provision of the laws could help the blinds”.

He also said in a choked voice, India is now home to the world's largest number of blind people and of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind, over 15 million are from India and if such is the state of affairs of education department, one can well imagine the plight of visually impaired persons like him.

He also shared that educated blinds are now not less than the normal man and can live an independent life. There was a time, not long ago, when most people thought that blind people could never learn to read.  People thought that the only way to read was to look at words with your eyes. But with the advanced technology and availability of infrastructure, the blinds are not more updated and after acquiring the professional qualification are well placed.

But, Vinod Kumar, who is pursuing his graduation in second year besides learning the operation of talking computer, has got five years Diploma in Visharat from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandra, has something different story as he is moving pillar to post to get his appointment letter issued, to become a self-dependent. 

According to him, his seniority in the merit list prepared at the time of selection for the post of Tabla Player in Education Department in June, 2012 was at Sr.No.11 against the 14 posts, 10 for candidates with hundred per cent blindness and 4 for partially blind.  In the final selection, 9 candidates were selected who were totally blind and 5 partially blind.  But fortunately about four months back, two totally blind candidates resigned creating a post for Vinod Kumar but he is still waiting to get the appointment letter since June, 2012

“The government should take his case as a ‘Test Case’ to bring more efficiency in the working of the education department and take action against the officials responsible for  not issuing him the appointment letter”, added Vinod Kumar.