Ialam Dhar accounts for skill development as a way forward towards empowering the disempowered as exemplified in the case of visually impaired individuals learning and excelling in broom making in Jaintia Hills.
Physical disabilities are perceived and conceived to be a setback to pursue and accomplish tasks on a physical level. Over the years, many through their stories of inspiration have proven how such body anomalies have no bearing on skill development, its enhancement and excelling in them. Recent cases of Krishna Phawa and Heiyobitmi Dhar of Jaintia Hills have undergone training for the art and crafts of broom making under Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS). Their training that has been deemed successful has been exemplified through Pahwa and Dhar’s output and their personal victory of earning a living, 
despite being visually impaired. In this edition, Sunday Shillong brings to its readers the inspirational story of the two broom makers who have fought the odds and set an example of grit and determination.
Khrishna Phawa, 27, resident of Mimyntdu-Umlidoh, one of the many beneficiaries among the visually impaired who has completed the training on Broom making, began speaking by expressing his gratitude MSSDS and the Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE). Both these entities have imparted necessary training to him in the field of broom making. Phawa shared that he has sold brooms in Shillong – in schools, offices and other places. Through his craft, Phawa says that he has been able to support and sustain his family financially.
Speaking with Sunday Shillong, Phawa says he hopes that his story and example will encourage other friends with disabilities to be brave and hard working. He further says that people can overcome their day-to-day problems by taking one step towards the impossible. As he puts it, “If others can, why not we”.
Explaining his journey before broom making, Phawa shared that his disability has not deterred him from learning other skills in the past. Broom making for Phawa has been rather recent. Previously, he has worked in many farms and is skilled in ginger farming. Apart from that, he has also been engaged in construction sites as a labourer and other small tasks such as making fertilisers. Phawa went on to say that he started working when he was as old as 13 years since he was economically disadvantaged but after the training 
for brooms, he took it up as his daily job to sustain his livelihood.
Regarding the assistance from the government, he said that at present he receives only Rs. 750 per month from the office of the ICDS, West Jaiñtia Hills District.
On the other hand, Phawa urged the Government and various NGOs to provide assistance to people like him with disabilities who have started their own business. He said that if the Government provides financial assistance for him, he will be able to improve his skill, generate a higher production and that he will be able to generate employment for his other colleagues.
Another young woman with visual impairment who has completed the same training was identified as Heiyobitmi Dhar, 27, from Wahiajer Jalapang village, West Jaintia Hills District. She is second of her eight siblings to her parents who are
In an interview with her, she said that through this training she has been able to spend her time and also earn a small amount of money from the sale of brooms. Dhar expresses that the art of broom making has been a form of rebirth for her. In the past, before her stint at the craft, she lacked motivation but this opportunity has given her immense satisfaction and a drive to her life. On being asked where she sells these brooms, Dhar answers, in Jowai – to the different schools and offices. She further stated that most of these supplies are local but at times she sells her products outside her area and that’s when she takes a guide/mentor along with her.
Dhar doesn’t view herself as disadvantaged but does recognise that lack of spaces for people like her to find their place in society. She believes and urges the government as well as NGOs to find ways and means to create financial assistance for people with disabilities. She also urged other friends to come forward in working for themselves as independent beings. However, Dhar acknowledges the crucial role that parents play in children’s lives, especially those that need extra care and understanding. Therefore, she appeals to parents of children with disabilities to encourage and motivate their children to the extent that such children are not demotivated and discouraged at home and can go out in the world to discover a place for themselves.
Both these youngsters, Phawa and Dhar despite their visual impairments, standout as exemplary cases of success. Perfecting the art of using technology, both manage navigation of their cell phones for calling others and/or receiving phone calls by even identifying the names of people. Both of the craftspeople can also operate whatsapp, type out messages and other mobile applications as part of their training workshops.
Taking notice of their awe-inspiring journey, as many as 13 such visually impaired students like Dhar and Phawa were felicitated in Jowai on June 25, 24. West Jaintia Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner DV Lyngdoh, who was part of the programme, congratulated the visually impaired individuals for successfully completing their training in broom-making. Lyngdoh expressed her admiration, saying that despite their disability, they were successful in not only completing their training but also producing finished brooms. She noted that West Jaintia Hills is the first district in Meghalaya to conduct a special training programme for specially-abled people under the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society.
Congratulating the Office of the District Skill Development Officer, led by Lambormi Suchen, and the team of the Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) for achieving this significant milestone, Lyngdoh maintained that this accomplishment testifies the government’s commitment to uplifting one and all.
On the occasion, the broom-makers were presented with certificates and startup kits.
It may be mentioned that the SURE, in the past six months, has conducted two training sessions for visually impaired members of the society in West Jaintia Hills. These sessions were sponsored by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) and the Office of the District Social Welfare Department, Jowai.
The training programme, supported by the MSSDS, was held at Moosakhia, under Amlarem Block, and the training programme, sponsored by the DSWO, was held at Lumbhah Dakha Wahiajer, under Thadlaskein Block.
Thereby bringing us to the conclusion that disabilities can comfortably take a backseat under professional skill imparting and training towards a hopeful future.
(With inputs from June 26, 2024 The Shillong Times report – Breaking barriers: 13 visually impaired become certified broom-makers in WJH)