Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • My memories of Sailenda – Tribute by Shampa Sengupta, disability rights activist

My memories of Sailenda – Tribute by Shampa Sengupta, disability rights activist

Shampa Sengupta seated with Sailen Chowdhury to her right
Get-hooked May 31, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

Veteran disability rights leader Sailen Chowdhury passed away in Hooghly, West Bengal, earlier this week. Disability and gender rights activist and Joint Secretary, National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled, shares her personal experiences working with him in this moving tribute.

When I met Sailen Choudhury for the first time, I was very scared of him. He was president of West Bengal’s largest disabled people’s organisation which had a huge membership. I talked to him with reverence in the initial days but we became close very soon. He was always eager to learn about what’s happening in the disability field across India. Once he asked me, “You use a term cross-disability. Does such a term really exist?”

Sailenda was a blind man who started a school for children with intellectual disability. He was leading a mass organisation with members who have visual/orthopaedic/hearing impairments. He was keen to include issues of mental health within his DPO’s work. So when he asked whether a term like cross-disability exists, I was not sure how to respond. Sailenda taught me terminology does not matter. What is important is to believe in one’s work.

Late blindness forced Sailenda to drop out of school

As our friendship grew, he started sharing many personal experiences. He started losing eyesight at early age and had to drop out of school because no one in his family was aware that blind children can study in school. But he did not regret missing formal education. After telling me this anecdote, he would laugh out loudly and remind me, “You might have completed your post-graduation and done research on disabled people, but I know more than you”.

Indeed, his knowledge was astounding. He depended on his radio for information of outer world. His connection with a large number of human beings gave him the understanding at ground level. He never used a smart phone but would remember hundreds of phone numbers.

Known for his personal touch

Before every protest meet, he would call leaders from all districts, the NGO heads and disabled people, reminding them where they have to reach and at what time. His calls were not just about the meetings, he would ask about the well-being of every member. He would remember every small detail and I would look at him in wonder – that one could be such an active organiser without using the Internet or English language in this era was unbelievable.

Genuine concern for others

I learned many things from him. To be curious of life, how to keep in touch with fellow activists, how to never bring one’s own impairment to the forefront. He told me many times, “I am blind, but I acknowledge that generally common people are kind to blind people. Hearing impaired people do not receive such kindness.” He was keen to understand my mental health issues and asked me many questions about how I am coping.

Shyly he once told me, “My only regret in life is that I will never be able to see parrots again. I know parrots are green, I have seen them. I remember all the colours”. Many late-blind people will resonate with this.

I regard myself as among the most fortunate of people who got the opportunity to travel with Sailenda. Once we travelled by train for 43 hours. During one journey, he whispered to me about a certain team member who came from a poorer background and reminded me to serve more food to him.

There’s long journey ahead for all of us at the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD). We promise to bring to the forefront the issue of poverty within the disability movement. That is the only way we can offer a tribute to him.

Also Read:

  • In Memoriam: Sailen Chowdhury, Disability rights leader
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Education,Employment
    A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 1 of 3)
  • Technology
    Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Kush Kanodia carrying the torch at the 2020 London Paralympics

Get-hooked

“UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia

Image of a Caruna swivel seat on the passenger seat of a car

Technology

Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)

A LinkABILITY session in progress

Education

A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

"I asked for my khukri & cut off my leg"- My Take by Ian Cardozo, 1st war disabled Indian soldier to lead a battalion

Get-hooked

Hasitha Illa's quirky & fun YouTube channel aims to spread disability awareness

Get-hooked

#LovePossible - Unni Maxx & Sreeparvathy’s love grows each day

Parasports

'Playing golf gives me satisfaction, makes me happy' - My Take by Ankush Saha, para golfer

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.