Never consider yourself as a different person or a lesser being. Mix, mingle, be one with the society and you will emerge as a successful, joyful being. Embracing this motto, Ratna Shashikant More lives life to the fullest. Polio has not affected the lifestyle of this data processing assistant in the Directorate of Census Operations at Patto, Panaji. Working in the Home Ministry for the past 30 years, Ratna is living life fully and joyfully. “No regrets,” smiles this 57-year-old, living and working in Goa since 2005.
The youngest sibling among four sisters and a brother, Ratna was born and brought up in Mumbai. Schooling started late for her, but her parents and siblings taught her to read and write. Schools did not accept her as she was a person with disability (PwD). Luckily, when she was seven, a school ‘Maharashtra Aikya Vardhak Mandal’ newly opened by Shivsena near her colony accepted her. As she already knew to read and write, she was asked to answer class I exam and as she passed she was directly promoted to class II.
“The school was small, reachable, and did not have any floors, so it was easier for me to attend. I completed SSC there. It was due to the motivation of the teachers, parents and siblings that I could start my academic journey. I still remember my class IV teacher Sandhya Khandre. Seven years ago, on my 50th birthday, I searched and found out her address and invited her specially, and all my friends from school, college, neighbourhood and office. It was a reunion after years, and a thanksgiving feast,” shares Ratna who even invited the school lady peon who instilled confidence in her, and guided her.
After her SSC in 1985, Ratna joined Shree Narayan Guru College at Govandi, travelled by auto, and later by bus, with her friends who helped her climb and get down. She did BCom and a six-month computer course from late Nargis Dutt’s Spastic Society of India. For two-and-a-half years she worked as account assistant but aiming higher she kept on answering bank and railway exams. Then a call from the employment exchange office changed the track of her life. She answered the test and interview and got selected in 1994.
Commuting with
Vidhya Balan
“The office was at Ballard Pier. I travelled from Chembur daily by bus, later by train, alone. Vidya Balan, today’s Bollywood actress was doing MA then, and travelled by the same train daily. She used to offer me her seat almost every day. When her friends used to ask, why she offers her seat to someone else every day, preferring to stand all her way, she used to simply smile and say, ‘It’s alright.’ Vidya and I were co-travellers for a year,” recalls Ratna.
Her colleagues were emphatic and accommodative. Ratna was encouraged to attend training in other cities like Pune or Delhi to learn software. She learnt to travel alone outside Mumbai. “My elder sister was married in Goa. I travelled by Kadamba many times. And I liked Goa, so when there was the same post created in Goa, my colleagues motivated me to take a transfer to Goa, as the office and staff quarters were in the same building, and my travel hassles would end. During those days, testing my abilities to live alone, I had hired an apartment at Nerul and used to travel daily by train and bus to office,” says Ratna.
She thought of grabbing this opportunity, and took transfer to Goa in 2005. In the same year she got married too. Life began to fall in place. She loved Goa. An adventurous Ratna, bought a scooter, learnt to ride it and became independent. A decade ago she bought a car too, and drives even outside Goa.
“I like to travel a lot. I have visited many States in India through private tours and even travelled to Dubai and Thailand. I have a large friend circle, from all States “ UP, Kerala, Delhi, Andhra and I travel to meet them. My husband also accompanies me. Both of us like to travel and as he doesn’t know to drive, it’s me who takes him everywhere,” quips Ratna, happy to share her story.
Living life with positivity has helped her stay calm, stress-free and happy. She doesn’t ask for concessions as a person with disability. Accepting her challenges, she has made peace with life. In Goa while on election duty, she came across other PwDs who encouraged her to participate in the Purple Fest.
“Shedding all my inhibitions, I sang and participated in the fashion show at the Purple Fest. I also do tailoring, using electric sewing machine. Watching plays at Kala Academy, going for movies, visiting libraries and reading books are my hobbies. Staying connected to life around has made me what I am, a resilient and smiling person,” concludes this go-getter.
