A 15-year-old from Faridabad will present the issues of differently-abled children of the National Capital Region at the 70th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year.
Rohit, a differently-abled student of Class XI at a private school in Faridabad, will go to the UNGA along with 14 other children from all over the country who will represent various issues concerning children.
“My legs were very weak at the time of my birth and I had a boil on my back. The doctors advised surgery. However, something went wrong during the operation and now I have scoliosis [which causes curvature of the spine]. It is difficult for me to stand straight, but I have not let it affect my morale. It has only made me stronger and now I will take up the fight for the rights of differently-abled children,” Rohit told The Hindu .
The teenager was nominated for the UNGA by World Vision India as a part of their programme “Nine is Mine”.
“The main objective of taking Rohit and other children to the UNGA is to influence the world community to accept the allocation of six per cent GDP for education and five per cent for health as the minimum international standard,” said a volunteer from World Vision India.
“At the UNGA, I will raise issues about education and future employment opportunities for differently-abled children. I want an equal ground of opportunities for the differently-abled. They should not be forced to resort to things like begging due to lack of opportunities,” Rohit said.
“I also want society to treat differently-abled people just like able-bodied ones. I have never been bullied by my friends because of my condition. I want people to treat all differently-abled people like that,” he added.
Rohit, who wants to become a pilot, knows the road ahead is tough, but says he is ready to face the challenges head-on.
