Living with zeal in spite of disability

HYDERABAD O4.07.2010 (AP): Mission Director MEPMA (Mission for Eradcation of Poverty in Municipal Areas) K.Sunitha and others distributing Tricycles and Wheelchairs to needy persons held at Sarojin Naidu Hall, Ramkoti in Hyderabad on Sunday, Organization by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). ------PHOTO BY :NAGARA GOPAL HYDERABAD O4.07.2010 (AP): Mission Director MEPMA (Mission for Eradcation of Poverty in Municipal Areas) K.Sunitha and others distributing Tricycles and Wheelchairs to needy persons held at Sarojin Naidu Hall, Ramkoti in Hyderabad on Sunday, Organization by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). ------PHOTO BY :NAGARA GOPAL - HYDERABAD O4.07.2010 (AP): Mission Director MEPMA (Mission for Eradcation of Poverty in Municipal Areas) K.Sunitha and other during the distributing Tricycles and Wheelchairs to needy persons held at Sarojin Naidu Hall, Ramkoti in Hyderabad on Sunday, Organization by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). ------PHOTO BY :NAGARA GOPAL

Not many would have anticipated what was coming when Santosh, a person with loco-motor disability crawled on to the stage. Even before the clock ticked two minutes, sporadic claps burst the hall as a delighted audience watched in awe.

Dancing to the tunes of Pavan Kalyan's ‘I am an Indian', Santosh's hands did the walking as his body moved nimbly across. The energetic moves left everyone zapped and inspired. More so by his grit to prove the world that nothing could come in the way of what he was passionate about: dance.

At times he fumbled, missing a step or two, but nevertheless he pursued with his acrobatic dance performance, not letting the handicap come in his way. As the applause grew louder, he somersaulted for his audience, twisted his limbs unbelievably behind his waist and gyrated on the floor, even balancing himself on his head, upside down.

Satish should have stirred some persons with loco-motor disabilities assembled at Sarojini Naidu Hall for presentation ceremony of wheelchairs and tricycles here on Sunday.

Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), renowned for its Jaipur Foot and Mahavir International, a voluntary organisation gave away the mobile equipment to the 50 ‘needy persons' on merit basis. It was the first wheelchair for 60-year-old Sundar Bai.

“She could not move freely. These people have come to help her,” said Pushpa Bai, her daughter, herself affected by polio. “The government promises a lot but does nothing.”

Kala Ahmed's new tricycle will help him move around easily.

“Every time I had to go home to eat food, I had to take an auto. This cost me a lot.” He believes his new-found mobility will help him improve his fruit business.

Wheelchairs and tricycles were given to those who cannot move using callipers and prosthetics, explained P.C. Shrimal, president, BMVSS. MEPMA mission director, K. Sunitha did the honours. Vira Madhu Surana and Dharam Chand Galada, president and international vice-president respectively of Mahavir International were among those present.