A positive mentality can overcome a physical disability, and Ankush Parab is an ideal example of this. A mechanical engineer from Goa Engineering College who passed out in 1980, Parab excelled in his career working from India and abroad and received respect and appreciation for his skills wherever he served. He did not give up on life even after he suffered a major stroke that disabled his left hand and leg in January 2012 while he was travelling to his work place in his boss’s car in Bahrain. As his boss Vinay Divan, of whom he speaks very highly of, was prompt enough to admit him in the nearest hospital, which happened to be a Defence Hospital, Parab received immediate treatment and recovered from facial paralysis.
“But my left side remained permanently disabled. I had to undergo physiotherapy on a day-to-day basis to keep myself upright, which I did. Not taking any help of walkers, walking sticks or wheelchair, I continued to work from home initially and later from the site. I wanted to be independent and drive my own vehicle to wherever I had to visit. Our family had by then returned to Goa in 2014. I had my driving licence issued in 2011. But it was for a period of five years. It was then that I began driving manual car, but manual car did not help much, it was difficult to move, opted for test drive on automatic car. So I modified my car to suit my needs. I continued driving four-wheeler and approached the RTO in December 2015, as my licence would expire in 2016. It was here when I was discouraged by the RTO panel of experts who did not trust my abilities to drive. And my licence was not renewed. From here onwards my battle with the authorities began,” narrates Parab.
Indeed it is a lone fight. At 65, Parab doesn’t know how long this battle would continue. Pointing out to the Draft Amendment to Automotive Industry Standard 169 (AIS-169) guidelines on Provisions for Adapted Vehicles of Categories M1, N1 and M2, Parab states that Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 has introduced terminology of Adapted Vehicles in section 2, and alteration provisions under section 52 thereof, and further this standard covers Adapted Vehicles of category N1, so that by introducing ‘add on’ controls, N1 Vehicle can be driven by person with disability and earn livelihood in specific applications.
Sharing this year’s chronology, Parab mentions that he attended the medical board panel as scheduled at Asilo Hospital Mapusa on June 23. He was disqualified by the panel. Upon suspicion of disqualification by medical board panel, in spite of pleading that he is requesting fitness approval for driving an adapted vehicle that suits his physical condition, he immediately met in person and submitted his request to the assistant director of Transport, Mapusa, requesting him to look into his issue on the basis of Motor Vehicle Act (Amended) 2019 on June 26. On June 30, he made representation to the minister of Roads, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. On July 10, Parab posted online grievance to the PMO on their portal.
“My grievance is registered under no PMOPG/E/2023/0137132. I also wrote to the State Commissioner of Persons for Disability, Goa requesting to deliver justice. On July 27, I wrote a letter to the medical superintendent of Asilo Hospital to look into the matter. I will leave no stone unturned until I get justice,” announces a determined Parab.
If one looks into his career graph, after graduating from Goa College of Engineering he worked as service engineer maintaining heavy earth moving equipment before joining a mining company as assistant mechanical engineer of repairs and services of heavy machinery. Then he was with Glaxo in Mumbai as transport officer. His luck took him to Iraq to handle heavy earth moving machinery at Jaiprakash Associates, a Delhi-based company. Then he was with Dubai based company in the heavy earth moving equipment and construction equipment section. He rejoined his company in Bahrain on their request.
“My request to issue Adapted Vehicle licence is still pending and I want justice,” demands Parab who mentioned that there is a recent development in his story - State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad Pawaskar, has issued notice to Assistant Director, Directorate of Transport North and Medical Superintendent, North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa regarding his driving licence issue.
