logo
Railways certs amend ‘retardation' to ‘intel disability'

Railways certs amend ‘retardation' to ‘intel disability'

Time of India18-07-2025
File photo
NEW DELHI: A father's fight for the dignity of his daughter, who has 65% intellectual disability, which made the court of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD) issue directives to remedy the situation, has led to the
Indian Railways
replacing the use of 'mental retardation' with 'intellectual disability' on railway concession certificates.
A disability rights advocate, Pankaj Maru had failed to get a response from railways regarding the terminology used in the concession certificate issued to his daughter, Sonu (26). On July 12 last year, he filed a complaint with court of CCPD regarding the description of his daughter's disability —
'mansik roop se vikrit'.
'Use of derogatory terms go against SC guidelines'
This (the terminology issue) was despite Pankaj Maru submitting the unique disability ID card of his daughter along with the application, wherein her disability was described as intellectual disability, in keeping with provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
In its final order Thursday, CCPD said the Railway Board had informed court on July 14 that an instruction dated May 9has been issued stating ministry of railways has decided to replace the term 'mentally retarded persons' with 'persons with intellectual disability'.
The change has been implemented from June 1. CCPD emphasised the criticality of language in ensuring dignity of people with disabilities. While noting that the board had already issued a circular in 2018 whereby words such as 'blind', 'deaf and dumb' and 'physically challenged' were replaced with terms prescribed in RPwD Act, the court has recommended that railways should review their existing forms and all other documents to determine if similar corrections are required to be made and to ensure that the existing stationery is not used for any certification in future.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription?
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
CCPD cited the concern raised by Maru in his complaint that outdated and derogatory terms like 'handicapped' still appear in preprinted concession certificate format, which goes against SC's guidelines on respectful disability terminology. CCPD has sought an action-taken report within three months and also asked railways to sensitise its staff on types and sub-types of disabilities.
In its observations in the case in Feb, CCPD had countered railways' interpretation of legal provisions as reason for continuing with the use of 'mental retardation' in concession forms.
It noted that the 'Railway Board's contention that intellectual disability and mental behaviour have been separately defined in the Schedule to RPwD Act, 2016 is correct, but their averment that 'retardation' is defined under 'mental behaviour' is not. In fact, the definition of 'mental behaviour' in the schedule of the law explicitly excludes 'retardation'.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘That's horrible': Speedboat runs over endangered whale calf, chilling drone footage emerges
‘That's horrible': Speedboat runs over endangered whale calf, chilling drone footage emerges

Indian Express

time7 hours ago

  • Indian Express

‘That's horrible': Speedboat runs over endangered whale calf, chilling drone footage emerges

A drone footage capturing the moment when a speedboat collided with an endangered whale calf off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, has caught the Internet's attention. The accident was recorded by photographer Michael Hatte when he was filming a humpback whale mother and her calf near the northern end of Stanwell Park. The now-viral video shows the speedboat running over the animal, and the occupants of the boat being thrown forward. Speaking to Yahoo News, Hatte shared details about his gut-wrenching experience, calling it a 'recipe for disaster.' 'It was absolutely horrific. I'm not an emotional guy, but I was absolutely gutted after the incident'. He also described the accident as a 'recipe for disaster'. 'It could've been absolutely disastrous for the trio involved. They are extremely lucky guys,' Hatte said. Hatte, who continued to monitor the situation via drone, said he noticed the boat slowing down afterwards, although it was unclear if this was due to shock or possible damage to the vessel. Watch the video here: A post shared by Brut (@brutamerica) Yahoo News reported that the three men on board the speedboat were not wearing lifejackets. Upon impact with the calf, they were thrown forward, piling on top of each other. The mother of the calf involved in the latest accident was also struck by a boat just weeks earlier. Despite both collisions, researchers say the whales appear to be recovering well in the days since the latest accident, according to the Yahoo News report. The video quickly gained traction, prompting a wave of reactions. 'Humans. How about banning non essential boats and issuing serious fines and suspension of licence if ignored. No boats on the water equals safe passage for whales. It's Not hard,' a user wrote. 'Thats horrible. Hope the calf and mom are perfectly healthy,' another user commented. 'My heart hurts when I watch the boat and baby hit. So sad to see but glad the calf is safe and so is mum,' a third user reacted.

Grievances pour in at SC/ST meet: Bridge built far from Koraga settlement, says activist
Grievances pour in at SC/ST meet: Bridge built far from Koraga settlement, says activist

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Grievances pour in at SC/ST meet: Bridge built far from Koraga settlement, says activist

MANGALURU: Social activist Shekhar Laila raised several concerns affecting marginalised communities in Belthangady at the SC/ST grievances redressal meeting held by Mangaluru City Police and Dakshina Kannada District Police on Sunday. He highlighted the plight of around 200 Malekudiya families living across nine villages in Kudremukh National Park who are deprived of basic amenities like electricity and road access. Laila also mentioned that six to seven Koraga families in Atrinje, Sulkeri, are forced to cross a river using a fragile wooden log during the monsoon. Although a new bridge was sanctioned, it was constructed nearly a kilometre away from their settlement, making it difficult to access—especially for school-going children. Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K assured that the matter would be verified and suitable action would be taken. Laila also reported a near-mishap at Ithilapela in Savanalu, where a two-wheeler rider and pillion were almost swept away while crossing a flooded stream, due to the absence of a proper bridge. The SP requested a list of villages requiring footbridges and assured that a proposal would be forwarded to the concerned authorities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Further, he flagged concerns about 18 contract-based 'D' group staff working at Belthangady Taluk Hospital, who reportedly receive their salaries only once every three to four months and are not granted even a single day of leave. The SP promised to take the matter up with the District Health Officer. A Dalit representative also raised the issue of 13 Scheduled Caste families in Nirde and Ajakala, Balnadu in Puttur taluk, who have no proper road connectivity. 'Even pregnant women and patients struggle,' he said, adding that repeated appeals to officials, including the Deputy Commissioner, had not yielded any results. The SP assured that he would bring the issue to the notice of the DC and the District Legal Services Authority. Concerns were also raised regarding miscreants using the premises of a government school in Vamadapadavu to consume alcohol and gutka. The SP assured that a night beat point would be assigned and regular patrolling would be arranged. 'Mafia' behind sand crisis Responding to complaints about the shortage of sand and laterite stones, SP Dr Arun K said, 'There is no real shortage. There is adequate sand in the district. The problem lies with the mafia, which is trying to push for CRZ sand.' He added that sand blocks have been identified and are available for booking via the Sand Bazaar app. 'Lawful construction is not being obstructed by police, but illegal activities will not be tolerated,' he stated.

Can virtual classrooms make art more interesting for students?
Can virtual classrooms make art more interesting for students?

The Hindu

timea day ago

  • The Hindu

Can virtual classrooms make art more interesting for students?

Art and culture have always played a significant role in the all-round development of students. It helps them develop a wider perspective of different histories and cultures across the world. Traditional methods for learning about art were limited to visiting museums, reading books, attending art exhibitions and physical workshops. Today, this has changed due to digital learning and virtual setups. The Internet has made art and cultural education more easily accessible to all. For instance, students in India can learn about Impressionist painting techniques from an expert in Italy, while someone from the East Asia can learn about Indian dance forms. These interactions offer unlimited opportunities for cross cultural exchange. Beyond physical surroundings As students grow older, their external and internal pressures mount, leaving them with little time for art and cultural classes. Currently, most institutions have neither the financial strength nor trained teachers to make multiple options available to students. Virtual classes open up a wide range of opportunities to take on a hobby or pursue as a skill. For example, a student from India can blend the sound of the tabla with an African instrument to create a unique melody. Virtual classes allow the flexibility for students to access them in real time or recorded sessions later at their convenience. One of the biggest challenges in traditional art education was the heavy focus on theory. Virtual classrooms, however, make learning more engaging by integrating modern digital tools such as live demonstrations where students can ask questions and receive real-time feedback. Today, AI has made it possible to experience tours of temples, museums and galleries sitting in the comfort of one's home. Challenges However, virtual interactions do have a few drawbacks. Usually teaching and learning art is a very personal and hands-on experience. A student of classical dance, for example, is guided by a teacher over many years in perfecting the art form. This experience is missed in virtual learning and teachers may also find it challenging to teach without in-person interactions to provide corrective feedback. Another challenge is the digital divide. Not all locations have high-speed internet and many students might face technical glitches or audio disturbances. One more aspect is the lack a structured classroom setup, which gives a focused environment and discipline. Further, physical classes allow peer interaction, which helps learning. Lastly, virtual classes may not give students the kind of engagement that physical art classes provide. The spirited energy, the collaborative environment, and the vibrancy of a physical classroom may be absent in a virtual setup. However, virtual classes can help promote collaborations, community building, and joint ventures that help in broaden artistic perspectives and encourage innovation. As technology continues to evolve, virtual classrooms will play a prominent role in shaping the future of art education. With advancements in AI-powered art tools, interactive 3D models, and immersive virtual exhibitions, learning art will become more dynamic and accessible than ever before. The author is Co-Founder, Routes 2 Roots.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store