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Disability, no bar to excel
Aiming high.
DETERMINATION AND self-confidence are his assets. Lack of infrastructural facilities and training could not prevent this young man from emerging as a three-time winner of gold medal in Shot put at the National Wheelchair Games.
At 25, J. Ranjith Kumar of Madurai has won a hat trick by bagging the first place in Shot put at the National Sports Meet organised by the Disabled People's Welfare Federation, National RYLA for the Challenged, both organised at Chennai, and the National Wheelchair Games at Bangalore.
Though polio made him immobile at the tender age of one, Ranjith went to school and stayed on till plus two. Owing to financial constraints, he discontinued education and managed to establish a telephone booth attached with travels and courier service.
``I am no more a dependent or burden on the family. This small business helps me earn enough for a decent living without seeking any help from others,'' he said.
Ranjith never had an opportunity to participate in sports activities at school. It was the Madurai District Physically Handicapped Welfare Association, which encouraged him to take part in wheelchair games and make a mark.
He managed to borrow some sports equipment from friends and began practicing at the backyard of his house in Tirunagar. Within months, the chance came for Ranjith to demonstrate his skills at the national sports meet. He set a record by clearing 6.96 meters (7.26 kg) in Shot put and continued the winning spree.
He also bagged the second place in discuss-throw in national sports events, twice.
The calliper-aided sportsperson is now aiming to bag the gold medal in the International Paralympic meet to be held late this year. "I am confident of setting a world record at the Paralympic meet,'' Ranjith says adding that he would bring laurels to India and pride to Madurai.
The hidden talent of every handicapped person, he felt, should be identified and promoted. The Government should provide some basic facilities to encourage the handicapped youth to come out and join the mainstream of the society. "Though there are umpteen schemes, meant for the welfare of the handicapped, the procedural aspects are so complicated and tedious that it is almost impossible to obtain the benefit.
The Government should direct the rehabilitation departments to ensure that all the funds earmarked for the handicapped should be spent logically,'' he stressed.
Even the free bus pass scheme is such that only working handicapped persons are eligible. It is also valid only for the sector between the residence and the place of work. In the neighbouring Karnataka, all handicapped persons are entitled to travel throughout the State freely. They are also covered under a comprehensive housing scheme, says Ranjith, who can be contacted at the dial of 602619.
He also wants the Government to promote the sports potential of the handicapped persons in this part of the State by establishing a coaching centre. Simultaneously, awareness campaigns should be organised to eradicate the inferiority complex among the disabled youth and involve them in social activities. Soft loans should be also extended for the handicapped to start small business activities and provide jobs to others.
By S. Vijay Kumar
Photo: K. Ganesan
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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