May 26, 2019
Regarded as one of the world’s largest festivals, Attukal Pongala
in Kerala is also exclusively for women. One person who has become a familiar
presence here is Sindhu Sudevan. A wheelchair user, Sindhu never misses the
festival despite the large crowds or inaccessible roads.
Every year, thousands from women from across Kerala gather at
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to honour the goddess Attukal
Devi and give offerings. Women devotees sit by the roadside to cook
porridge for the goddess.
Present among the large crowds, is Sindhu Sudevan. Sindhu is
the only wheelchair user among the devotees and nothing can keep her away
from the festivities, not the bad roads, large crowds or the scorching heat.
Sindhu has a spinal cord injury, the result of an accident in March 2000. She
was married at the time and working as a lab technician. Three years later,
she gave birth to her son Adarsh, who is now 14 years old.
Sindhu says she was always keen to attend the festival as her mother and
aunts would talk about the festival and attend regularly.
It was considered to be a festival for older women. I started attending for
the last five years because apart from giving an offering to the Goddess, I
want to make the point that disabled people need not be confined to the
four walls of their homes. They must come out and do things just like how
any other person does. Most of the people think that a wheelchair user
cannot achieve anything nor do things on their own. I was determined that I
would participate in the festival and show that I can do it too. -Sindhu
Sudevan, President , All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation,
Thiruvananthapuram
Backing Sindhu in his are her son, mother and sister-in-law who joined her
for the Pongala. She was there in the scorching hear along with many others
despite the shock and surprise on faces all around.
“People ask me why I have come outdoors and say things like I should stay
inside”, says Sindhu. “Some tell me things like the Goddess is everywhere
so I should stayed home and give offerings. How is that fair? I want to go
around and do things just like how a person without a disability does”.
By making herself visible and present, Sindhu wants to show the world that
people with disabilities have needs like everyone else and want to be out and
about.
This is easier said than done. The roads where the Pongala is conducted are
inaccessible and not disabled-friendly at all and not many people are willing
to help someone on a wheelchair.
“A disability just throws more challenges on your way. A disabled person
cannot even go alone to their favourite restaurant or textile shop to pick up
a dress”, says Sindhu. “I request authorities to make our public places
more disabled-friendly. We also would love to explore. To those disabled
women who want to attend Pongala next year, do not hesitate. Come outdoors
and see what you can do”.
Suma Sasikumar, her sister-in-law, is proud of Sindhu’s
drive and determination. “It was a proud moment for all of us to see her come
outdoors and participate. I always accompany her to places.” says Suma.
The point Sindhu is making is valid for people across India. Time and again
there are reports of people with disabilities being unable to enter or even
turned away at religious places of worship. How long will they have to
struggle to access this most basic right?
ALSO READ: Disability is no barrier for Sunitha, who creates amazing
paintings with her mouth
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/21458
