62 years have passed but most of us have been second class citizens who are denied the right to secret ballot. We were always enthusiastic but whenever we went to the polling booth, there was the usual struggle of “assisted voting” which was an insult of our cerebral power. How does one ensure that an assistant (whoever he/she is) votes as per the instruction of the person being assisted?
But all that changed in General Elections 2009. Being blind was not a sign of powerlessness but empowerment in the true sense was experienced.
As soon as I entered the both along with my wife (who is also totally blind) we were greeted cordially and wee asked if we knew Braille. Upon affirmative answer, we were given Braille dummy ballot paper that contained the names symbols and parties of candidates sequentially and after we had read through we were taken to EVM which was also marked in Braille. For the first time in our lives we voted independently andproudly. No forms to be filled for assistants and no haggling.
I am a proud Indian since even USA and other developed nations do not have such sophisticated facilities.
Of course, let us not forget the days and years of struggle that we had to put to get the directive from the Supreme Court. This is just the beginning and we shall not rest with this, we have a long way to go and achieve miles of successes and who knows we may have a chief justice who is blind or a primeminister who is disabled. What we will always need is unstinting support of all of you since no battle is won by a soldier but an army with support of its fellow citizens is what makes great. Next 5 years will give more occasssion to celebrate but we must not get complacent.”
Ketan Kothari
Reach me at kkothari@sightsavers.org
Phone: 022 28821919
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