The Xavier's Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) has been operating in St. Xavier's College, Mumbai for the past few years. Being a student of this college for the last four years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the XRCVC. The XRCVC mainly deals with visually challenged students, spreading its wings over challenged members of the college, as well as members who have approached it from various other institutions.
The experience of working with the XRCVC is one of learning and understanding, which manages to create a strong impact on each and every individual. As 'normal' people, majority of us always view the disabled as helpless and weak. It has always been our sympathy and at times empathy that played a major role while dealing with them. The workings of the XRCVC help you learn an entirely new definition of disability. Disability can now be described as 'Difference is ability'.
The workshop called Anatrchakshu, that is organised by the XRCVC during Malhar is another way in which you can not only view the ability of the disabled, but also experience it for yourself. Antarchakshu guides you through the day to day life of the disabled, forcing you to put yourself in their shoes and see that being disabled is actually not a big layback. Antarchakshu helps you use your senses differently to carry on with your day to day life as a disabled.
The main focus of Antarchakshu is therefore to create awareness about the capabilities of the disabled so that they are not treated any differently from the others. The workshop also aims at helping you realise the dignity and self respect that the disabled hold. Antarchakshu therefore once experienced is always remembered, helping you with its valuable lesson throughout your life.
To add more about this event which is one of the most important event of Malhar, with my experience with the “Antarchakshu” during last two years where I found that each day hundreds of participants were sensitised towards issues concerning persons with disabilities through a structured yet informal experiential environment.
ReplyDeleteAntarchakshu as its outcome in addition to creating awareness amongst its participants also helps participants in utilizing alternative pathways in tackling issues in their own personal and work environments. Through understanding the world of disabilities participants learn the important lessons of the possibility of things happening alternatively as also how without the apparent full resources, full lives can be lead.
Prashant Naik