Dear Esteemed Readers,
Every year, 3rd December is celebrated as International Day
of Persons with Disabilities, as resolved by the UN General Assembly in 1982.
The objective is to create awareness about various disabilities, the basic
rights of people with disabilities, and the need for rehabilitation of such
individuals so that they remain an integral and contributive part of the
society. In today’s world, disabled persons are either ignored, mocked at, or
sympathized with but are rarely treated normally. Disability is a curse and more
so, if that person happens to be in India, as we do not have necessary
facilities and infrastructure for movement of the physically and mentally
challenged; e.g. we do have seats reserved for the physically handicapped in
buses or trains but getting in and out of these modes of transportation is
difficult. In fact, reaching their access points is a nightmare for those with a
limp or for a person on crutches.
We, as an enlightened and resourceful class in the society,
must shoulder responsibility for the well being and welfare of the disabled.
Given an opportunity, the disabled stand out in many respects. There are many
who have overcome their disabilities with sheer determination, perseverance and
hard work and have become role models for many others. Chirag Chauhan, a young
boy who got paralyzed from the waist below in a gruesome local train blast in
Mumbai on 11th July 2006 completed his studies and has become a successful
Chartered Accountant. A friend of mine, Ameet Thakkar, who is a spastic from
birth with more than 50 % disability, is a successful LIC agent with the
distinction of being a club member.
A blind couple, namely, Muktaben and Pankajbhai Dagli from
Pragna Chakshu, Surendranagar, Gujarat, are taking care of almost 200 blind
women and children. Gopi, an eight year old girl, deaf, dumb and blind like
Helen Keller, is being raised by Muktaben. In the worst earthquake to hit
Gujarat in 2001, BCAS and CTC helped them in small measure to rebuild demolished
houses. Our recent visit revealed that in a ten-year span, they have completed
three buildings with a capacity for 300 inmates, a primary and a secondary
school for the blind and also centres for imparting training in computers, music
and beauty care. Indeed, they have become a source of inspiration for many of
us. If they can do so much with a vital faculty missing, think of all that we
can achieve, having all our faculties intact! My plea is that let us recognize
our Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) and give more than what we take. I am
aware that many of our members are doing good social work. My salutation to
them—one and all. We, at BCAS, are compiling a database of all such
contributors. Please do send in your details in the prescribed format, which can
be downloaded from our website
www.bcasonline.org.
In order to provoke thinking amongst members on some of the
burning issues concerning climate, profession, health, family, nation and the
world at large, a one-pager thought-mailer would be released (only by e-mail) on
the first of every calendar month. The first such thought-mailer for December
2010,authored by Mr. Nawshir Mirza on “What Should a Chartered Accountant do
About Climate Change?” elicited good response. We plan to put across this mailer
on our website with a discussion/bulletin board facility or on Facebook where
members can communicate/share their thoughts and/or observations.
The first-ever joint conference by the BCAS with the
Chartered Accountants’ Association (CAA), Ahmedabad, on 18th and 19th December,
2010, held at Ahmedabad on the Direct Taxes Code elicited an overwhelming
response.
Lately, India has been in the limelight not only for its
booming economy but also for its huge market. Indeed, it is the second largest
and fastest growing economy after China. The size of the Indian economy is about
$ 1.3 trillion and is poised to grow at around 9 per cent annually. India has
thus emerged stronger post the global financial crisis, economic meltdown and
the resources crunch. No wonder, India is emerging as a hot destination for all
UN Security Council Permanent Members looking out for large economic deals.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, US President Barack Obama, French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the Russian President
Dmitry Medevedev were amongst those world leaders who visited India in the past
six months. They all put together, secured over $80 billion in deals ranging
from defence, nuclear energy to telecoms and the like.
I am of the view that now is the time for India to play its
cards right so as to emerge as one of the economic leaders of the world. India
must therefore negotiate with the nations of the world from its inherent and
potential strengths to achieve its goals.
Curbing inflation and keeping up the momentum of economic
growth is a tall order for any government. Even with a reputed economist at the
helm, as our Prime Minister, India today is witnessing one of the worst ever
inflations especially in food items. Increase in the prices of petrol and diesel
have a cascading effect on such price rise. Well, measures are under way to
contain the unbridled price rise which is not healthy for proper economic
growth.
We are on the threshold of the new decade 2011-2020. In the
first decade (2001-2010), we were witness to a lot of changes occurring in India
and the world. It is high time for us to take stock of the present situation,
consolidate the same and march ahead with renewed zeal and zest to forge ahead.
It is all right if we cannot place an Indian on the MOON, but it is imperative
to reach every poor Indian and provide him with the basic necessities of life.
It is tragic that day after day, our farmers are committing suicide. Let us
resolve to provide opportunities to the downtrodden, not by reservation, but by
education; not by giving fish to eat but teaching them fishing such that they
can lead a life of dignity. Equality deserves to be achieved not by converting
“haves” into “have nots” but by raising the bar of the “have nots” to “haves”.
To this end, let us frame our new year’s resolution in order
to contribute our might, for the betterment of the poorer sections of our
society. Service to humanity is service to God, is it not!
I wish you all a happy and a prosperous New Year!
Mayur Nayak
