Parties blind to the problems of visually impaired

Ludhiana: During campaigning for general elections, all the main political parties of the nation try to reach out to the maximum number of people from different areas and communities, but somehow, visually impaired voters get left out, as they do not form a significant chunk of the population to be considered as a vote bank. Thus, their problems remain theirs alone, and are not taken as seriously by the leaders as they should be. Political parties are blind to the problems of the visually impaired, even as the latter want to see netas have some vision for them.
Kapil Dev (29), captain of the blind cricket team: “Voting is an important task for all the citizens of India. This is not the first time I am going to vote, as I have voted in the previous election too. But nothing has really changed for us in the past five years. We are still the same, only the years have gone by. Nobody comes to us and asks for anything. I guess they don’t have any hope from us, but we do want the government to also have quotas for us, so that we can live with ease and happiness. Hope the next government takes us seriously, and looks after our issues. I mostly go to vote with my friends in the area, and they always take me with them.”
Vishal Kumar (23), student, Pathankot: “I am blind from birth, and I was not aware of voting. But at the age of 18, I got to know about it, and got myself a voter ID card in 2016. Right now, it will be the first time I am going to vote, and I’m really confused about whom to vote for. But I guess I will go with what my mind says in the end. I request the government to have a look at us too, and not just look after normal people. We also need looking after. We also want some schemes for our community to move ahead, and we want to stand up like everyone shoulder to shoulder.”
Jaspreet Singh (27), student: “I have given my +2 exams only this year. I was late because of my problem, but I am happy I have ultimately done it, though I could have done it at the right age. If there were proper schools in Sangrur, I didn’t need to come to Ludhiana to study, and so I want to request our leaders that as with other communities like SC and OBC, we too need to have facilities. I feel very sad that we have never been visited by any elected member. I guess they feel they do not get votes from us, but I wish to see leaders come here to provide us information and enlighten us on certain issues. Maybe one day, from our community, there can be a leader like them.”
Tarsem (36), Ludhiana: “I have my voter ID card since 2007, and I have voted 6-7 times in different types of elections. I am really amazed why our community has never been bothered by politicians, and why they do not look at us like a vote bank. We also want facilities, and we will give vote to the right person, but at least I think there should be an effort by politicians too. I have my vote from Samrala, and I will go there and vote with my family. I wish the next government will look after our issue of pension, as it is really depressing for me and other people, as we are getting just Rs750. It should be increased, as outside India, the pension is Rs2,500.”
Mandeep Singh (22), student and first-time voter: “If the government is not going to take our community seriously, then it’s no use of voting, as I don’t feel like anything has been done for us in the past five years. Nobody from any political party has approached us for anything, and we want at least the next government of Punjab to look after us. We want improvement in the education system, as it is really tough for us to find a writer to write our exams. There should also be jobs given to people of our community, who are worthy of jobs.”
Bunty (20) student (blind from birth): “I am going to vote for the first time, and I am pretty excited about it. The next government should look at our issues seriously, as for the past several years, nothing has been done for us, and we ourself feel depressed as a result. I want proper facilities to study as a student. I know the importance of studies, and I want every student like me to study hard.”