Did you find it difficult to get a disablity certificate?

Year: 1991.

Place: Office of the Disability board, at a government run hospital near second stop, 1250 quarters, Bhopal.

Purpose of visit: To obtain a disability certificate for a patient.

I had accompanied a person with disability to this hospital. We wanted a certificate for which this was the scheduled day. Once a month or so this board used to meet.

The concerned patient was examined by an Orthopedician and we were sent to an adjacent office.

That's where we were asked to pay ....

There was a nominal charge for the procedure. We tendered the amount but the extra money was not returned to us, instead we were asked for a "handsome amount" as official fee. We asked for a receipt. We were denied as that happened to be a Saturday and the receipt book was in a locked cupboard, which could only be opened on Monday, when another clerk would be on duty!

So far, I had not revealed my identity as medical resident at a hospital associated to the medical college in Bhopal.

I decided to meet the Ophthalmologist, a lady called Dr. Bakshi who eventually helped us.

After resolving the matter for us she took us to a senior doctor and said, "Sir, all this needs to be curbed, else everyone who comes here would feel we have a share in the transaction". She urged a serious response and she looked sincere.

I don't know how many patients would be going there without a resident from a medical college.

Most would pay! Some would bargain - and settle for a smaller amount! Others would use a contact who would make a call!

Not many tend to fight for hundred rupees in India! Most have an opportunity to siphon off thousands from other places!!

But as a practicing ophthalmologist, I know many of my visually challenged patients do not earn enough and certainly have no potential to siphon off money from elsewhere.

Can't the corrupt system be a bit lenient to people with difficulties?

That's a point to ponder.

Let's try to bell the cat!

The girl who fought for Rs. 100/-

This girl is Megha Jacob from Kollam.

A girl who took on the education system, for a paltry scholarship of Rs. 100/- that was being denied just because the person in charge of the affair was on leave. She begged the scholarship when she was 10, but got it now that she is 13.

She thus became the youngest RTI activist in the country. Her stand helped others get the same scholarship as well.

Hats off to her!!


Manish

Introduction

When was it you visited a government official or a babu who declined to offer you what you felt you always deserved as a citizen of this country?

May be you wanted to know why there has been delay in providing you some information, a document or some thing of that sort?

May be a telephone needs to be shifted somewhere, but you are told you need to contact the line man first?

Or, may be the boss is not around?

Or, Vermaji who normally looks after the specified job is on leave?

If these are the excuses for delay in accomplishing the task, you are welcome to this blog.

Please share, what happened an how did you manage here. It will help many other Underprivileged Indians like you!


Manish

Introduction