The Doyen
Walking down the aisle I try to find my seat, relieved that finally, I would be in the sanctum of my home in a few hours. It had been an arduous wait & 3 trips to the airport in the hope that the technical snag that the aircraft had developed would be rectified & our debacle over.
As I approach my window seat, I find a man in his mid fifties wearing dark shades, sitting demurely in the middle seat. I realize that he is blind & mummer to make my presence felt & as he gives way, glide to my seat. I assume that my co-passenger is escorted by someone. I’m pleasantly surprised when he introduces himself as Mr Shree Ram Mittal, heading the Institute of Advance Studies in Special Education in Jamia-Millia-Islamia University. Like me, he had come to Nepal on work…wow…I’m impressed!
Inquiring minds want to know more & I strike a conversation with him. Curiously shoot questions at him relating to his profession, the environment he moves in, his life style etc.
As tales from his life unfolds, I realize that this is a man who possesses sheer guts & determination. He is a globe trotter attending seminars & conferences around the world. He specializes in special education for the blind & is a doyen in his field.
He talks about how physically challenged children can be helped by introducing them to special schools which helps them cope with everyday life & become independent & lead normal lives.
As we converse, my mind’s veering. I think of the countless number of times that we take our physical capabilities for granted. Challenging situations ruffle our general attitude towards life & we curse God, our destiny, parents, teachers, friends…just about any one we can get hold of to blame. Infact, we should thank God who puts us through difficult times so that we can emerge stronger. Just like the caterpillar has to struggle out from its cocoon endlessly to encourage the fluid from its body to force itself into its wings & finally when it emerges from the cocoon, its wings are so strong that it effortlessly flies into the yonder.
Copyright © BuntysBanter 2005
As I approach my window seat, I find a man in his mid fifties wearing dark shades, sitting demurely in the middle seat. I realize that he is blind & mummer to make my presence felt & as he gives way, glide to my seat. I assume that my co-passenger is escorted by someone. I’m pleasantly surprised when he introduces himself as Mr Shree Ram Mittal, heading the Institute of Advance Studies in Special Education in Jamia-Millia-Islamia University. Like me, he had come to Nepal on work…wow…I’m impressed!
Inquiring minds want to know more & I strike a conversation with him. Curiously shoot questions at him relating to his profession, the environment he moves in, his life style etc.
As tales from his life unfolds, I realize that this is a man who possesses sheer guts & determination. He is a globe trotter attending seminars & conferences around the world. He specializes in special education for the blind & is a doyen in his field.
He talks about how physically challenged children can be helped by introducing them to special schools which helps them cope with everyday life & become independent & lead normal lives.
As we converse, my mind’s veering. I think of the countless number of times that we take our physical capabilities for granted. Challenging situations ruffle our general attitude towards life & we curse God, our destiny, parents, teachers, friends…just about any one we can get hold of to blame. Infact, we should thank God who puts us through difficult times so that we can emerge stronger. Just like the caterpillar has to struggle out from its cocoon endlessly to encourage the fluid from its body to force itself into its wings & finally when it emerges from the cocoon, its wings are so strong that it effortlessly flies into the yonder.
Copyright © BuntysBanter 2005
posted by Bunty's Banter at 9:57 PM
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