By Ketan Kothari (kkothari@sightsavers.org)
South India Area Office, Mumbai
30th January is a day of great significance in the history of India. It is the death anniversary of India’s father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi and also the martyrs’ day. But this year was special for print impaired community.
Saturday afternoon in Delhi was pleasant and pregnant with hope. The International Book Fair was being inaugurated at Pragati Maidan. We had chosen this occasion to be the apt time for a major launch of “Right to Read”.
Several organizations came together and proclaimed to the world that all print impaired people all over India have the right to read all the literature the very day it was published. Their choice was no longer to be governed by organizations that converted the literature in accessible formats.
I along with Ranjish Kattady represented Sightsavers at this launch.
The afternoon began with a skit proclaiming the right in the loudest terms. After this, people were invited to present their views.
30th January is a day of great significance in the history of India. It is the death anniversary of India’s father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi and also the martyrs’ day. But this year was special for print impaired community.
Saturday afternoon in Delhi was pleasant and pregnant with hope. The International Book Fair was being inaugurated at Pragati Maidan. We had chosen this occasion to be the apt time for a major launch of “Right to Read”.
Several organizations came together and proclaimed to the world that all print impaired people all over India have the right to read all the literature the very day it was published. Their choice was no longer to be governed by organizations that converted the literature in accessible formats.
I along with Ranjish Kattady represented Sightsavers at this launch.
The afternoon began with a skit proclaiming the right in the loudest terms. After this, people were invited to present their views.
I told the audience that we must insist that we should get to read all the literature and Government should make it sure that our right to read is protected. In fact, as per Article 21 of our constitution, we have already been guaranteed this right as it enunciates right to Life with dignity.
Many blind and visually impaired people repeated this. Dr. Sam Taraporevala told the gathering that more than 550 authors and 40 publishers cutting across linguistic borders have consented to convert their literature in accessible formats.
A panel discussion took place with Sagarika Ghose, a famous TV anchor moderating it. Christopher Friend gave an overview of Global Right to Read campaign and informed the audience about the various efforts taking place across the globe to get the publishers on our side.
A panel discussion took place with Sagarika Ghose, a famous TV anchor moderating it. Christopher Friend gave an overview of Global Right to Read campaign and informed the audience about the various efforts taking place across the globe to get the publishers on our side.
WIPO treaty was also mentioned. It was shocking that publishers were harping on their fear of piracy whereas there is no evidence to suggest that we are responsible for it. Javed Abidi hammered the publishers that it is sad that such simple changes require legal interventions.
It was a great afternoon.
It was a great afternoon.
When we parted, we were sure that we shall overcome all the hurdles and get the right that we deserve. This was one of many struggles that we may have to undertake to get what we want.
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