Those with sight cannot really feel what it is like to be sightless. Those with sight cannot really feel what it feels like spending a life in the dark.
Yet, thankfully, there are compassionate individuals and organisations, who always strive hard to make the world a little easy for the persons with disability of any type. L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd (L&TMRHL) is one such entity.
Hyderabad Metro has been designed as a disability friendly transportation facility with tactile flooring on the concourse and the platforms. Inside the train coaches, there are seats earmarked for the disabled. But how do the disabled persons find these arrangements? Are those catering to their needs?
To find this out first-hand, on 3 December, that is, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Hyderabad Metro invited over a group of visually impaired students from the Devnar School for the Blind. The move was also aimed at raising the awareness of metro commuters so that they understand the hurdles faced by persons with disability and become more accommodative.
The group, comprising both boys and girls, were given a joyride in metro train between Begumpet and Nagole stations. During this, they were made familiar with the onboarding and deboarding process into the metro station ~ from the street level to concourse, ticket counter to the platform and to the train.Two students in the group, Master Naman, and Master Harshavar, are familiar to travelling in the metro. Along with the escorting metro personnel, the two boys guided their fellow students.
It turned out to be real tender sight to behold when the visually challenged students used the tactile flooring tracing their way successfully.
Mr K V B Reddy, MD & CEO of L&TMRHL, interacted with the students and apprised them that Hyderabad Metro is completely disability friendly and there are men and measures in place to cater to their needs.“Hyderabad Metro’s endeavour is in line with the UN theme for 2019 ~ promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership,” he underscored.
Ms Payal Kapoor, institutional sales manager, Mercquri Medica, who herself is a visually challenged person and specialises in medical emergencies and preparedness, audited the facilities at Begumpet and Nagole metro stations. She awarded them a flying score.
