A watchman became physically immobile following a knee operation. His school asked him to resign but an intervention by DRAG resulted in him being made a peon earning the same salary. In another case a teacher was paralyzed and the school absorbed him as a clerk with the same salary, only because DRAG insisted. For the very able Avelino de Sa, disability lies only in yourattitude. A victim of cerebral palsy, the founder President of DisabilityRights Association of Goa (DRAG) is considered a saviour of the differentlyabled in Goa.
Under his captainship, the DRAG will soon celebrate itsdecade-long existence in the state. A member of the Goa State Co-ordinationCommittee for the welfare of the differently abled, DRAG was founded in October2003 and registered under the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa.“Our aim is to take up disability issues” claims de Sa. After DRAG filed aPublic Interest Litigation (PIL) the High Court gave an order in February 2012to install meters in auto rickshaws and taxies in Goa. Cases are also taken upwith the State Disability Commissioner, who enjoys the powers of a Civil Judge.
“We have been successful in the past. Look at them and askyourself, if they can do it, why not me,” de Sa’s words seem inspiring. TheArticle 21 in our Constitution gives equal rights, protection, status andparticipation to all. “So treat us equally. Do not discriminate. Give us achance to prove our self,” he urges.
His sign off line “Don’t seek sympathy, don’t expect charity,earn your living with dignity. Together we can do it,” says this gutsy39-year-old.
