MIDDLE SCHOOL RUNNER-UP - Chinmayi Joshi

Chinmayi Joshi, Grade 8
Basking Ridge, New Jersey

India is the world’s largest democracy, nevertheless, despite its significant progress on social and environmental, its large population of over 1.3 billion people still have many pressing needs. It is a known fact that from the proud peaks of the Himalayan Mountain range to the rivers that sweep across the country, India is a diverse country. It is also an immersion of a wide range of cultures and religions. Within this diversity, however, lie many disadvantaged communities, one of them being the disabled, especially those in rural India. According to the 2011 Census in India, approximately 26.8 million people are disabled. Of this, 69% reside in rural areas, whereas a mere 31% live in urban areas, as per The Ministry of Statistics and Implementation. Rural areas are often poor and isolated. As such, the rural families do not have the facilities, nor the economic power to assist and properly care for those with disabilities. Additionally, due to the social stigma surrounding the concept of disabilities, disabled voices are constantly pushed down and ignored. They do not get the proper help necessary as they are deemed a burden on the family. There are very few support systems and due to this, people do not fully comprehend the extent of disabilities. They are shunned and looked down on as inferior.

There are many foundations seeking to aid the disabled, one of them being Vikash, an organization based in Odisha. The purpose of this foundation is to assist children who have been diagnosed with epilepsy, a disorder that causes seizures. Vikash also provides counsel and training to families to ensure that they can correctly care for their children. As aforementioned, families in rural areas do not have the economic ability to handle the cost of such treatment, thus Vikash, through donations, relieves the financial strain off of families.

Indian Americans can donate to organizations such as Vikash to help the rural disabled community get the aid that they need, especially considering that just a few dollars make a substantial impact. In America, the disabled are trained to be as independent as possible. For example, in my community, the disabled are taught to make transactions in a grocery store or are encouraged to communicate with others. Such ideas must be brought to India to further change. Additionally, as the social stigma is widespread, young Indian Americans unable to donate can spark change through the simplest of ways - conversation. Bringing up the topic of disabilities within families is essential to reduce the impact of societal constructs. After all, change starts with one person.

The issue of the inclusiveness of those with a disability has always been close to my heart. Many friends and family of mine are disabled. A friend with a mental illness confided in me the difficulties of going about daily tasks and how difficult life was when her teachers were not open to accommodate her disability. While I thus far have been unable to donate to the disabled in India, I have been able to do so here in my home state of New Jersey. My friends and I fundraised through the sale of greeting cards and donated to Midland Foundation, as well as volunteered there.

Disability inclusivity and facilities are limited in India, more so in rural areas. Unfortunately, the vast majority of disabled live in rural areas, with limited resources. Abled people must assist those who are underprivileged, rather than shunning them. Donating to causes supporting the improvement of disabled lives, especially in rural communities is vital. United, we can bring about necessary changes and improve lives.