Two petitions in the Bombay High Court by Nisha
JamVwal and Abha Singh seem to have finally got
municipal authorities in Mumbai to take a serious look at infrastructure and
accessibility shortfalls in the financial capital. Not only as it got
residents from far corners of the city involved, prominent names from the
world of business and movies are backing the petitions. That’s our focus on
#StoryOfTheWeek.
Some of India’s prominent voices from business and films are calling out the
major shortcomings that exist when it comes to accessibility infrastructure
across the country. Nearly four years after the Accessible India
Campaign was launched in a major publicity blitz, basic targets
remain unmet.
Two petitions moved in the Bombay High Court by TV
anchor-columnist-social entrepreneur Nisha JamVwal and
advocate-activist Abha Singh in this regard has led the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to finally step. It
has also triggered a citizens movement with people living in the
distant suburbs of Mumbai getting involved in the campaign to make Mumbai
accessible.
Lisa Ray
And in a strong show of support, many prominent figures have rallied around
as well. Like actress and former Lisa Ray who has issued
this statement.
“I fervently support accessibility and strongly believe that India cannot
presume itself to be a contemporary, global nation until it prioritises
accessibility and inclusiveness for all. Accessibility ramps and access are
everywhere and legally protected and enforced in most developed nations I
know of. I am in Singapore and this is even more pronounced here. I believe
India must take this agenda on urgently and immediately. If India wishes to
be viewed as a progressive global nation it must provide accessibility
options and inclusivity for all as a normal matter of course – there’s no
reason not to!”
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Bengaluru-based billionaire entrepreneur and Managing Director,
Biocon Limited, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said the laws must be enforced
more rigorously.
If we claim to be an inclusive society, we must reflect this in our design
of public spaces. Denying access to physically challenged citizens because
of no wheelchair ramps is unacceptable. The law must be enforced so that
ramp access and elevator access in all public spaces. – Kiran
Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman-Managing Director, Biocon Ltd
Mahima Choudhary
Accessibility simply must become priority, feels former
actress-model Mahima Choudhary, who insists on a ramp being
a part of every residential complex she lives in.
“Is it not just the most basic requirement to have wheelchair accessible
stations, sidewalks, buildings, banks and restaurants?”, asks Mahima. “It is
a basic in every other country of the world, and here in India we need to
make this a priority. We are one of the fastest growing economies currently
so we must be a sensitive, caring, wheelchair accessible nation. My dear
friend Nisha JamVwal has made it her mission for her life in India and I
wholeheartedly support her noble cause. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has made it a mandate and is very sympathetic to the cause of
wheelchairs. We must support this cause and make India an inclusive nation”.
Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra believes that changing the
design of public spaces is critical to India’s progress. “If
India must forge ahead as a nation that attracts people from all over the
world, we need to be inclusive in our design of public places. City planners,
architects and developers of all forms of buildings, pavements, stations and
public structures must ensure that the needs of the differently-abled are
addressed. If we wish to promote tourism, we must apply forethought when
planning new infrastructure and incorporate ramps, accessible restrooms and
lifts to ensure access for the differently-abled”.
Neil Nitin Mukesh
Neil Nitin Mukesh, who is playing the part of a person with
disability in his next movie Bypass Road hopes the film will
help sensitise the larger public towards the needs of disabled people in
public spaces.
“I find through my international travel that ramps, accessible restrooms,
handicapped parking, convenient sidewalks with ramps on either side are a
matter of course and yet here they not only absent generally but often not
even incorporated within new ‘modern’ constructions. In my upcoming film
directed by my brother Naman Nitin Mukesh, I play a man with
special needs using a wheelchair and I’m thrilled to be able to enact a role
that might sensitise Indians that take their walking and moving around for
granted. It’s my call to our nation to support PM Modi’s desire to make India
an accessible nation”.
Actor Arjun Kapoor calls upon developers to incorporate
ramps in all infrastructure projects. “Wheelchair access and accessibility
must be a priority in India for it to truly be considered a country of the
new age world. All builders must look into ramps, access, accessible
restrooms. Importantly, all developers must consider that in case of
emergencies when people have to run down the stairs, what happens to people
who cannot do that? Systems have to be provided for them too, like a chair
lift or a ramp”.
Time to get more such voices heard, loud and clear.
Also Read: Meet the petitioners behind a citywide
campaign to make Mumbai accessible for people with disabilities
