Dear Friends,
Inaccesss to built infrastructure, roads, pedestrian infrastructure and public transportation are becoming tools of oppression, discrimination and marginalisation when it comes to disabled and the seniors.
India needs to gear up to the needs of the elderly and the disabled in terms of its infrastructure at the earliest if it doesn’t want to loose out on tourism opportunities, hosting international events of any kind and above all if it wants to escape bashing by activists due to its lackadiasical attitude towards monitoring implementation of access in the infrastructural projects in the present scenario.
India is at the thresh hold of development. Major cities are grappling with the problems of managing public transportation. Sustainability and accessibility can go hand in hand if State thinks in inclusive terms for all its citizens.
It was evident from the recent difficulties faced by international athletes who were here in Bangalore to participate in “International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World Games” that India is hosting. The athletes faced problems bnt in track and field, but in gaining access to the stadiums, hotels, transport systems and public places around Bangalore.
The answer lies in ensuring that all properties, infrastructure and transporation system that are created henceforth is accessible and inclusive to all to avoid such embarrassment to the nation. This will also make the country more equitable and inclusive to the elderly and the disabled citizens.
Here is the report from Indian Expresss
Here is a different report form Times of India
regards
Subhash Chandra Vashishth