Even in 2016, there are several misconceptions about people with disabilities – that they have little aspiration to study and build careers, that they can’t run businesses, enjoy music, play chess and relish the other pleasures of life. And the most popular one – that people with disabilities don’t fall in love and have desires. These myopic ways of thinking are smashed by this beautiful music video produced by maestro Shankar Mahadevan and his academy, along with Enable India, a pioneer in training people with a wide range of disabilities for careers and life.
A labour of love, the video features several individuals, who are able to realise their full potential through the enabling environments around them, including workplaces that are accessible and inviting and vehicles that are customised to their travel needs. The song “Garv Se Jiyenge” (We will live with dignity), is now becoming an anthem for people with disabilities, across the nation. I believe that its message is universal and one that transcends our many differences.
I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did! An Indian sign language version of the video can be viewed here.