Page 124 - SocialHarmony

20

Duty, Not Pity for the Handicapped

Many people feel like helping the handicapped. I have
observed that the handicapped resent pity because of their
innate handicaps don’t like the pitiable help from anybody
because of their disposition and God-given willpower. They
refuse to take help from others, and believe in not burdening
others and still living life in the best possible manner. I think
that such willpower is missing in normal people like us.

Most people in society think that they should pity the
handicapped. I think there cannot be a greater insult than this.
Pity is not the correct mindset for a healthy mind and a healthy
society; instead we should feel a sense of duty towards them.
The responsibility of any handicapped person in any family
should be shared by the entire society, state and nation, not just
the immediate family. Such a healthy environment existed in
our society in olden times, but we must now work actively to
recreate it. If this does not happen, society as a whole becomes
handicapped. An ideal society is one which considers the
handicapped as their assets.

We have carried out the first such experiment across India,
which should be noticed and discussed if there is any sensitivity
left in society. It is unfortunate that there is an extreme lack of
sensitivity to the extent that no one notices even the most
inspiring events. Our state has a dedicated commission working
for the handicapped. Earlier, being placed at this commission
was considered akin to a punishment; only the good-for-nothing
persons were sent there. Even someone working there willingly