FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE: Dwarfs who gathered at the Chief Minister's camp office in Hyderabad on Friday. - Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

HYDERABAD: Though they look physically fit, the world in which they live has not been designed for the heights they have been born with. Dwarfs find themselves falling miserably short of the demands of life in the fast lane, be it getting into public transport or the bigger task of getting the Government Order on their inclusion in the orthopaedically handicapped category implemented in toto.

It seemed a battle won when a Government Order passed in July 2005 read: "As a result of short structure and abnormally retarded bones and joints, the ability of dwarfs to engage in gainful activity is considerably reduced. Hence, dwarfs are eligible to be included in the category of orthopaedically handicapped."

But the order, passed four months ago that made them eligible for bus passes, rail concessions, disabled pension, scholarship, housing, reservation in employment and financial assistance remained on paper. And their ordeal continues as ever.

Blunt message

B. Mallesh, president of Andhra Pradesh Maruguchi disAbled People Association (dwarf's association), laments that nothing materialised despite the GO and worse, the medical community was blissfully ignorant about how to issue medical certificates assessing their degree of disability.

A board at the bus stand at Koti reveals the hard reality. It reads: "No bus passes will be given to dwarfs."

To bring this glaring anomaly to the notice of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the association members gathered at his camp office on Friday. "We also want to live, we are unable to come out of our homes. Even our parents curse us saying tum kaiko paida huave. All we are asking for is a semblance of dignity in our daily lives," says Renuka, tears welling in her eyes.

"We are short, we find it difficult to get into buses. Since our fingers are small, it is difficult for us to get a grip too," bemoans Balram.

"People who have one finger less are treated as handicapped and given concessions, but we need real help, we are really handicapped," he adds.

While Commissioner, Disabled, R. Sundan Vadan, has written to the Managing Director of the APSRTC asking him issue bus passes, he in turn approached the Government seeking clarifications as to who would bear the cost of extending these concessions.

With the issue bogged down by inter departmental wrangles, "we have been left in the lurch," laments Mohammed Reheem, association secretary.

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