New Delhi: Phynjoplang and Rida are best of friends. Brought up in an orphanage in Meghalaya, they share each other’s dreams and vision. Born with speech and hearing impairment, Phynjoplang, 14, is very happy that Khrim, his interpreter and “best pal”, is accompanying him to the UN to talk about inclusive education for both disabled and normal children.
When Phynjoplang stands in front of hundreds of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Sep 24, Rida, a 20-year-old tribal woman who also suffers from mild physical disability, will convey his ideas of making the world a better place to live in.
“There should not be any discrimination. I will demand inclusive education for all at the UN,” Phynjoplang conveyed through Rida in sign language to IANS.
The two friends will join nine other children for an exciting journey to New York where they will put forward their demands on behalf of India’s millions of children for proper healthcare, safe drinking water, well-equipped schools and protection from abuse and neglect.
The 11 children will begin their 10-day journey to New York on September 17. Spearheaded by a child advocacy group ‘Nine is Mine’, these children are hopeful that their demands will be included in the agenda of the Millennium Development Goals of 2015.
“I am nervous and excited too. For the first time I will stand before the leaders of the world and demand a better future for children. It is a tremendous feeling,” Phynjoplang added, as Rida nodded in response.
“I demand better education for the disabled children. Why shouldn’t they study with abled children? Why this discrimination?” Rida asked.
Though only two children of the group can understand English, they are determined to make their voices heard from an international platform. For most of them this is the first visit abroad and that too to the UN.
Anees from Shillong wants India to end child labour, especially for those working in the coal mines in Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.
“You should go and see the condition in which these kids live in the mines. Most of them are trafficked and forced into this kind of job which is very dangerous,” Anees, 15, told IANS.
Similarly, for Surbhi and Risabh from Delhi, their demands are for equality and an adequate platform for the many deprived children.
Rekha Kumari, 20, has taken the responsibility to act as the convenor for the minors who will speak at the UN.
Though she has an artificial leg and walks with the help of crutches, Rekha said she has nothing to complain about in life.
“My demand is simple. I want good healthcare for the underprivileged section of society. What I have gone through, others should not face the same,” she said. (IANS)