KOHIMA — Sixty-two years of Nagaland statehood, but there are still no basic facilities and provisions for persons with disabilities (PwDs) at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima.
State Commissioner for PwDs, Diethono Nakhro, who was invited to the 62nd Statehood Day celebration at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, had to leave without attending the programme as she could not access the sitting area.
Nakhro, a wheelchair user, was extended an official invitation and a car pass of VIP category. Upon arrival at the venue, she found out there was no accessibility to the area she was supposed to be seated in (stage area).
"Why are they inviting me if they are not providing accessible provisions for me to be able to go and sit with my peers and to be able to attend the programme,” she said, speaking to journalists before leaving the venue without attending the programme.
Ramp facilities are available but not near the VIP seating area (stage). The raised platform is only accessible by stairs on all sides.
An officer had suggested she sit at the back where participants were occupied (below the raised platforms).
"What is the point of me coming and sitting behind everybody where I cannot even see the ground? That is the issue,” Nakhro said.
According to her, the commissioner’s office has an ongoing case with the secretariat (Home department) regarding accessibility for disabled persons. Her office had previously access to the podium, “keeping in view all public events being held at the Plaza.”
‘VIPs and guests with disabilities from within and outside the state may come to attend functions. How do they go and sit over there? she wondered, adding that galleries for the public also lack ramp facilities. The case has been going on for over six months now.
She noted that Nagaland government is ‘taking things one step at a time.’ But they are also "not actively" complying with the provisions and laws when it comes to accessibility for the disabled people, she said.
"They don't realise the urgency of providing the facilities, and that is what is really worrying and disturbing. We need to wake up; it's not just an accessory that we are talking about. It is an essential facility. It is something that we cannot live our life without,” Nakhro asserted.
Her incident, she noted, showed “how far behind" the state is and that there is still so much work to do.
"If this is happening to me, then what is happening on the ground to the general public?” she questioned.