by Asif Ahmad Bhat
Life is full of experiences that open our eyes to realities we often ignore. Recently, I had one such experience that changed how I look at strength, resilience, and the meaning of ability. We were celebrating the Diwali festival at an NGO that works for specially abled persons and other underprivileged sections of society. The organisation’s main goal is to help them access better economic opportunities, especially in the government sector, through training and awareness. The environment that day was filled with laughter, music, and celebration. As the festival concluded, all the students began dancing with joy.
But among them, one student caught my attention — a visually impaired boy. He didn’t know the dance moves; he couldn’t see the beats or the lights. Yet he kept on dancing like the happiest person on Earth. His steps were imperfect but his spirit was flawless. In that moment, I realized — sometimes the brightest light comes from those who live in the deepest darkness.
A Glimpse Through Cinema and Reality
The very next day, I was watching the movie “Sitaare Zameen Par,” which beautifully portrays the neglected sections of our society. The film reflects how our perspectives often limit the potential of people with disabilities. Watching it reminded me of a close friend of mine, Rohit, a visually impaired student preparing for the SSC exams. He recently completed his Master’s in Economics with an impressive percentage. One evening, we went for a walk to buy some essentials. At the shop, Rohit used his mobile banking app to make a payment. I noticed how people around us began staring — not out of admiration, but disbelief, as if he was doing something impossible for someone “like him.” It was disheartening. That moment showed how society still views disability as incapacity rather than a different kind of ability.
According to the 2011 Census, India has over 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, which is about 2.21% of the population. However, as per the Ministry of Statistics (2022), only 36% of them are employed, compared to the national average of over 60%. Even though government initiatives like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) and Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) exist, societal attitudes continue to be the biggest barriers.
The Story of Prateek: Strength in Silence
These experiences reminded me of another friend, Prateek, who is also visually impaired and works in the defense sector. He is an all-rounder — from repairing electric equipment to solving technical issues, he can do it all. Many times, I felt ashamed that even though I am “normal,” I couldn’t perform tasks that came so easily to him. Despite his government job and remarkable skills, he still faced harsh realities. Several landlords refused to rent him a room simply because of his disability. It made me realize how physical blindness is not the real challenge — society’s mental blindness is.
According to a National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) report, over 70% of educated disabled individuals still face discrimination in renting, employment, or even basic public access. This is not just a social issue but a moral one — a reflection of how far we still have to go as a nation that claims “inclusion for all.”
When Mockery Meets Ignorance
A few days later, during dinner with friends, one of them started talking about the Diwali celebration and the dance performance of Ashutosh, the visually impaired student who had danced so freely. My friend began to laugh and mock him, saying his moves looked funny. I went silent for a while.
Then it hit me — for people like Ashutosh, dancing wasn’t just about movement. It was about freedom. Maybe it was the first time he got a chance to express himself without judgment. Society often mocks what it does not understand. These individuals get so few opportunities to express their emotions, dreams, and talents that when they finally do, we measure them by standards they were never meant to fit into.
I felt deeply disturbed by this attitude. According to WHO estimates (2023), about 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, yet most continue to face social stigma. In India, the National Sample Survey (2018) found that over 45% of disabled individuals rarely participate in social events due to fear of mockery or exclusion. These numbers are not just statistics — they are stories of human neglect.
A Girl Left Behind
Even more painful was the story of a visually impaired girl student from our NGO. Her parents refused to let her come home for Diwali simply because of her disability. They felt she might “cause trouble” or “not fit in” with guests. It was heartbreaking — a reminder that discrimination often begins at home.
The UNICEF Disability Report (2021) mentions that around one-third of disabled children in India are kept out of family gatherings or festivals, which severely affects their confidence and emotional well-being. If family acceptance is denied, how can we expect social acceptance to follow?
A Lesson From Light
Though “Sitaare Zameen Par” was made to teach a lesson, the real lesson lies in how we behave outside the cinema hall. Even the character played by Aamir Khan initially showed ignorance — using insensitive words in a courtroom scene before realizing his mistake. It mirrors how our society often learns empathy only after confrontation. The truth is, the problem isn’t disability — it’s our perception of it. Disability does not define limitation; indifference does. Every person I mentioned — whether Rohit, Prateek, Ashutosh, or the girl student — carries a light within them, waiting to be seen.
Conclusion: Seeing Beyond What Eyes Can See
These experiences taught me that the real darkness isn’t in blindness, but in how we fail to see others with compassion. A visually impaired person might not see the world, but they feel it — more deeply than most of us ever will. As citizens, we must not only rely on government schemes but also take individual responsibility to create inclusive spaces — in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools. Let’s begin by changing our vocabulary, normalising accessibility, and celebrating ability, not disability. Diwali is called the festival of lights — but maybe true light is not what shines in lamps. It is what glows in the courage of those who keep dancing, even when the world refuses to play the music.
Author holds Masters in history from the University of Kashmir. He can be mailed at ahmadaasif619@gmail.com
