Dilip Patro of The Ability People, an NGO engaged in rehabilitation and care and support of persons with spinal disorders, has been inducted as non-official co-opted member in the National Road Safety Council (NRSC).
The NRSC is an apex advisory body, headed by the Minister of Road Transport and Highway, and the other members include the Transport Ministers and DGPs of various States, government agencies, NGOs, and individuals working in the field of road safety.
He will serve in the advisory committee on road safety. Mr. Dilip Patro, a software engineer with Tata Elxsi, was hit by a two-wheeler near the Mumbai airport 16 years ago when he was on his way to the United States for an onsite assignment for the TCS. Post-accident, he was diagnosed with cervical spine injury and was rendered quadriplegic for life. According to Mr. Dilip, he is the only person in India with physical disability who has been inducted as member of the NRSC. The membership is lifelong, to be renewed every two years.
Though down, he was never out. Confined to a wheelchair for life, for him life is all about fighting against the odds. According to him, “Falling down is not a defeat. Defeat is when you refuse to get up and move on.” In 2007, he launched an NGO by name The Ability People to facilitate, train, and motivate quadriplegics and paraplegics to move on with life. Talking to The Hindu , he said he would focus on three main areas — Awareness on road safety, emergency care, and post-accident rehabilitation facility. “All the three aspects are being ignored. We are embarking on a mission, wherein we will hold three-day workshop in about 50 cities across the nation and discuss these issues. All stakeholders such as students, police, paramedics, doctors, ambulance drivers, and NGOs will participate,” he said.
Rugby teamApart from running the NGO, he is a team member of the Indian Quadriplegic Rugby team and is preparing to form a national basketball team to participate in the Asian Games for the disabled to be held in South Korea in November.
