an online magazine from eyeway.org

issue 5 july-august 2005
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by george

A person's status in the family or community depends upon his/her contribution. Those who contribute are valued more than those who do not. The family is the microcosm of the nation, and the same holds true at the national level.

We must realise that unless we include visually impaired people in all aspects of living, they will not really become part of national life. Unless they are given opportunities to evolve, and are made accountable and responsible, they will never be a factor in national development. That is tantamount to exclusion.

Society needs to have expectations of visually impaired people. In a team, the people who are consulted are those who have a contribution to make. The nation is a team at a much bigger level -- and the best players are those that are the most active.

Relatives, friends, caregivers, people involved in any way with visually impaired children must mould them into accountable, responsible citizens -- able and willing to contribute. For visually impaired adults, contribution to nation-building is paramount.

Life is nothing but give and take. When even one citizen contributes to the whole, the whole becomes that much richer. And the country becomes empowered to give back to you.

Only when visually impaired people realise that success or failure is only in their hands, only when we contribute and are productive -- only then can we be proud Indian citizens.

So, to quote John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

George Abraham
Editor, beyond the I

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