Give handicapped persons a chance to succeed in life .

Subject: - Give handicapped persons a chance to succeed in life .

Dear Mr. Editor,

David Blunkett , a member of the Tony Blair’s cabinet , was born blind . But he rose to become Britain’s Home Secretary, equivalent to our Minister for Interior.

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, Blunkett grew up in an underprivileged family and in 1959, he endured a family tragedy when his father was gravely injured in an industrial accident in which he fell into a vat of boiling water while at work as a foreman for the East Midlands Gas Board and died a month later. This left the surviving family in poverty, especially since the board refused to pay compensation for two years because he was working past retirement age (67).

Blind since birth, and educated at schools for the blind in Sheffield and Shrewsbury, Blunkett's chances in life seemed limited. Following his father's death, he was sent on assessment to the School for the Blind in Worcester (New College Worcester), where he failed to gain entry. His failed assessment is said to be partly deliberate, due to his rebellious nature and dislike of public schools. He later attended the Royal National College for the Blind in Shrewsbury. Indeed, he was apparently told at school that one of his few options in life was to become a lathe operator. Nevertheless, he won a place at the University of Sheffield, where he gained a BA honours degree in Political Theory and Institutions; He entered local politics on graduation. He worked as a clerk typist between 1967 and 1969 and as a lecturer in industrial relations and politics between 1973 and 1981.

What have our handicapped done that they are denied chances to succeed in life? The parents are the bigger criminals. The handicapped is considered a curse. They are considered a liability. The blind eke out their existence teaching the Holy Quran to the young boys and girls of their locality.

I appeal to the Government of Pakistan to draw up concrete plans for the handicapped rather than giving alms to the handicapped so that they can contribute their bit to the country. For a start, the Government can make a database of all handicapped in the country. Simultaneously, I appeal to the well to do like Mr. Ardesher Cowasjee, who has a great record of helping the deserving persons and bodies, to join to pool their resources in this regard. Pakistanis have a great record in alms giving. But this kind deed is not recorded anywhere. I was going by train once in London. Two young girls boarded the train collecting donations for the Imperial Cancer Fund.

Yours truly


Mahfooz ur Rahman