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Bridge of neglect

The ITO Bridge over the Yamuna - the lifeline of East Delhi that provides it connectivity to the heart of the Capital - continues to suffer from gross official neglect. While occasionally the bridge is closed for routine maintenance work, several anomalies still remain.

The biggest problem lies with the bicycle tracks on the bridge. They are almost always encroached upon by small vendors, construction material or even police barricades. Due to this cyclists are forced to move in the bus lane and this has a cascading effect on the entire traffic flow. Also, this greatly imperils the lives of two-wheeler riders who get sandwiched between the heavy vehicles and fast moving cars.

Still, the authorities - which include both civic agencies and the Delhi Traffic Police - do not deem it fit to keep the bridge clear in all respects for smooth and safe traffic flow.

Qualitatively too the road leave a lot to be desired. While on the surface they appear quite broad, their meandering nature towards the western end makes them difficult to negotiate. Also, the southern carriageway has a dip and a bump on the western side, which really make bus passengers sit up and take note when their vehicles pass over them.

Even for the car drivers, these sudden jerks are quite harsh. Caused by faulty design, they can be easily rectified. But the fact that it has not happened clearly shows that the authorities are not bothered about the condition of the road as they feel that a right of way in this ever-growing city is more than enough for the denizens and a bump-free ride would probably constitute a luxury.

* * * Profile of grit

Exactly 33 years ago when he was born, this is what the doctor had to say about Akhil Mehta: "He is a Mongol child and will remain a burden throughout his life requiring lifelong support." Proving his doctor's prophesy wrong, Akhil today stands out as an example of what a mentally challenged child can do with parental support.

A job of an office assistant in a corporate office, visiting Paris as an official delegate to the IXth World Congress of the International League of Societies for Persons with Mental Handicap and, most recently, an invitation from Tokyo for the World Congress on Mental Retardation - Akhil is an inspiration to others like him. He has been to Kathmandu twice and also visited Toronto some years ago.

Along with his father, he propagates the message of independent living and the transformation that parental support can effect in the life of a person like him. While he had his schooling in Navjyoti, Akhil also learnt music and plays the mouth organ very well. "It has been a novel experience bringing up such a lovely child," says Akhil's father, J. K. Mehta, who is now in the process of setting up a foundation to create awareness about the role parents can play in bringing up their special children.

"Akhil has always shown interest in learning new things and has enjoyed every moment of his travel in India and abroad. He has had dinners with French and Nepali families with manners and dignity. He has never let his parents, his school and his country down ever," says Mr. Mehta.

Well, the Akhil Mehta Foundation has now endeavoured to make more parents aware of their crucial role in bringing up their children so that they always remain special and in no way are a burden on their parents.

* * * Seeking tickets

With the Delhi Assembly elections round the corner, several communities have started demanding tickets for themselves from the major political parties. Many have been holding meetings and passing resolutions in this regard.

At one such meeting last week, members of the Balmiki community, under the banner of National Balmiki Veer Dal, demanded that the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, give at least one ticket to them.

In a resolution, the meeting recommended the name of Balkishan Mahar - a union leader of municipal safai karamcharis - for the Congress ticket from Wazirpur. Balmiki leaders at the meeting claimed that 75 per cent voters in this seat were from this community. The resolution alleged that Balmikis were never given adequate representation in the past five decades.

The meeting also warned that the Congress would not be supported in this election, if the Balmikis were not given adequate representation. "We have been traditional voters of the Congress, but we have always been neglected by its leaders. We should be given our due, otherwise, we will be constrained to think of some other option," the resolution said.

In fact, senior Balmiki leaders argued that the community was in a position to defeat the Congress candidates at more than a dozen seats in the Capital.

By Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar, K. Kannan and Lalit K. Jha

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