Latest news with #VidyaSagar
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
A Chennai activist's fight for accessibility and inclusion
Forty-nine-year-old Meenakshi Balasubramanian, a senior associate at the Centre for Inclusive Policy, has long been a strong voice advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Tamil Nadu and across the country. But activism was not part of her original plan; coming from a commerce background, her journey from accounting to advocacy was entirely serendipitous, she says. A person with a mobility impairment, Ms. Meenakshi, now based in Chennai, completed her schooling and college in Thoothukudi. 'When my family moved to Thoothukudi, we realised that finding a school for me would be difficult. One school refused to enrol me; they said classes were on the first floor and that other children would mock me. That was my first experience of rejection due to my disability. Until then, I never saw myself as different, and neither did my family or those around me,' she says. Years later, Ms. Meenakshi also recalls being denied entry into public spaces like temples. 'Some temples refused me entry because I was wearing calipers, shoes and using crutches. I realised it should not be this way. Everyone should have access to public spaces. When that happened, I wanted to go to the press, but I did not know my rights or the law,' she recalls. Ms. Meenakshi soon moved to Chennai with her family and the city was both overwhelming and inaccessible. Job opportunities involved long and difficult commute. She then began working a home-based accounting job, but her heart was not in it. In a twist of fate, she got employed at Vidya Sagar, an NGO that works for the welfare of disabled people, and became a part of its disability legislation unit. Advocacy 'I am someone who fights for everything but I did not join the organisation hoping to fight. It was like any other job for me. But soon, I was part of different conversations about disability — the policies, the laws. Then, I realised this is where I belong and I have not turned back since.' Ms. Meenakshi, who identifies as an advocate for disabled persons, is part of a team that has been filing PILs after PILs, against the railways and various other agencies, seeking better accessibility in public spaces. Their work was instrumental in getting the civil aviation rules amended to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities. The idea was to question the 'charity approach' at the ground level and look at these issues through a human rights lens, she asserts. 'After the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there was momentum in India to amend existing laws. But, we felt the old law was not enough to align with the UNCRPD, so we pushed for a new one,' Ms. Meenakshi says. She was actively involved in the civil society campaign pertaining to this, as well as consultations including with the Planning Commission, on key disability issues. Ms. Meenakshi, however, adds that since the adoption of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, little has changed. From the terms used to describe disabled people — like divyaang and differently-abled, which are ableist and not inclusive — to issues of accessibility, both the country, as well as Tamil Nadu, has a long way to go, she says. 'There is no clear government vision for persons with disabilities; whatever progress we have seen is due to persistent advocacy from the community. Inclusion is not built into the system,' she says, adding that Tamil Nadu's Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons should ideally act as a think tank and advisor across all departments, besides its current functions, to ensure that the government's policies are inclusive.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
HC reserves orders on 9 writs seeking judicial probe into Group-1 exams
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court single bench of Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao on Monday 'reserved orders' on nine writs filed by unsuccessful candidates, who were unable to get a rank in the Group-1 Main exam, seeking a direction to order a judicial probe into the entire selection process. The judge heard nine writs filed by Parmesh Matta and others. Vidya Sagar, KS Murthy and Rachna, senior counsels argued for the petitioners and sought judicial intervention into the action of the TGPSC in conducting the most coveted Group-1 competitive examination in the most haphazard manner, alleging massive illegalities and in sheer violation of rules. Vidya Sagar contended that the TGPSC had not conducted the exam in a fair and transparent manner because, any constitutional body, which holds a competitive exam, first and foremost, notifies each instruction by way of a Gazette.. unless this process is done, a statutory body cannot hold an exam , but here in this case, the TGPSC didn't speak about three rounds of evaluation, moderation method, re-evaluation, which itself speaks about the haphazard manner of conducting the exam. Rachna, in the last hearing, contended that the TGPSC had informed the court it had grossly erred in issuing two hall-ticket numbers to candidates. This had created confusion among the candidates, who got selected in the Preliminary. Moreover, unqualified evaluators had corrected the answer papers of the candidates, who wrote the exam in 'Telugu medium' because of which there is a huge variation in the pass percentage between the candidates, who appeared in English and Telugu--English medium 30% and Telugu medium 18%. This action of TGPSC was to demean the Telugu candidates. The biometrics system was not properly used… the contention of the TGPSC that all CCTV cameras installed at the exam centres had a centralised surveillance system was a suspecting aspect. Criminal petition filed by CM seeking quash of proceedings in pvt complaint; reserved for orders The HC bench of Justice Kunuru Lakshman on Monday 'reserved orders' on the criminal petition filed by CM A Revanth Reddy, seeking quash of proceedings registered before the Principal Special Judicial First Class Magistrate for Excise Cases, Hyderabad, which emanated from a private complaint filed by Kasam Venkateswarlu, State general secretary, BJP from Nalgonda. Reddy at a public meeting (election campaign-2024) 'Jana Jatara Sabha' on May 5 at Prakasam Stadium, Kothagudem, stated that if the BJP comes to power, it will scrap the SC, ST and BC reservations. During the hearing, T Niranjan Reddy, senior counsel appearing for CM, had vehemently opposed contentions of counsel for the petitioner, contending the complaint filed before the lower court was not maintainable and should be dismissed; Venkateshwarulu was not eligible to file the complaint on ground BJP, being a national party, had not given its consent. The counsel for the petitioner had not furnished any document/ letter received from the top BJP brass, giving consent. There is no official communique/no authorisation from the BJP high command directing Venkateshwarlu to file the complaint. Reddy's speech was purely political; political speeches/ statements cannot be construed as defamatory because delivering a political speech is right to freedom under Article 19, which gives freedom of speech to a citizen. The judge reserved orders while hearing the petition filed by CM seeking quash of proceedings in CC 312/2024 U/s. 499 IPC and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, before the PSJFCM for Excise Cases. *Notice issued to State: PIL to protect 2-acre govt land in Hyderguda from encroachment The HC division bench of Acting CJ Sujoy Paul & Justice Renuka Yara on Monday issued notices to the Principal Secretary (revenue), Ranga Reddy district collector, GHMC commissioner, RDO and tahsildar Rajenderanagar, directing them to respond on encroachment of two acres of government land in survey no 7 of Upperpally, Hyderguda, Rajendranagar mandal, RR district and file counters within two weeks. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner P Sridhar Reddy, president, Erraboda Weaker Section Colony Welfare Association, Rajendranagar, had informed, despite his repeated representations to the collector apprising him of encroachment and constructions on government land, there was no response. He further contended miscreants were raising huge sheds on the land with a motive of knocking away the land illegally. The petitioner further said there was another attempt of encroaching government land of 1,200 square yards in the same survey no by creating forged and fabricated documents. The miscreants had constructed a compound wall with a room, which was also complained to the Revenue officials. All pleadings of the petitioner and others had gone in vain. The judge heard PIL filed by the Erraboda Weaker Section Colony Welfare Association, represented by its president P Sridhar Reddy, Rajendranagar mandal, seeking directions to the Principal Secretary (Revenue), RR collector, RDO and tahsildar, Rajendranagar, and GHMC commissioner to protect the government land from encroachment. Hearing in the case was adjourned by two weeks directing the government to file counter.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Hans India
Sajjanar meets assaulted bus driver, warns of stern action against self-styled vigilantes
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) managing director VC Sajjanar issued a stern warning that legal measures will be pursued against anyone who assaults his employees. The MD emphasized that rowdy sheets will be initiated against the individuals accountable, in collaboration with the police department. On Monday, VC Sajjanar met Vidya Sagar, a driver from the Bandlaguda depot, who was assaulted by attackers and is currently receiving treatment at Tarnaka RTC Hospital. He inquired about his health status and the details surrounding the attack. Sajjanar reassured the driver that the Corporation would provide him with complete support and advised him not to be concerned about this issue. The tragic incident occurred on June 19 at Attapur Pillar No. 198. A pregnant woman lost her life when her motorcycle collided with an ordinary bus traveling from Mehdipatnam to LB Nagar. The accident happened when the door of a parked car unexpectedly opened, causing the motorcycle to veer out of control and fall beneath the bus's rear tires. Despite the fact that the driver, Vidya Sagar, was not responsible for this unfortunate road accident, he faced unwarranted aggression from bystanders. They hurled abusive language at him and physically assaulted him. Fortunately, RTC constables Bhaskar and Mufkar Ali, who were returning home after completing their shifts, intervened and escorted the driver to the local police station. Given that the driver was already suffering from serious injuries, he was subsequently transferred to the RTC hospital in Tarnaka for medical attention. MD VC Sajjanar stated that the driver was not at fault in this incident, and it is disheartening to witness TGSRTC staff carrying out their responsibilities while being assaulted by the public. He cautioned that the management will not accept such assaults that harm the self-worth and cause emotional distress to its employees and will pursue legal measures against the offenders. Based on the complaint of RTC officials, the Cyberabad Commissionerate Attapur police have registered a case against the assailants under sections 121(1), 126(2), 115(2) 352, 351(2) of the IPC.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Applications invited for B. ED Special Education- Multiple Disabilities
Applications are invited for a two year course in in Special education – Multiple disabilities offered by Vidya Sagar, a 40-year-old, Chennai-based organisation working with people with disabilities. It is a full time regular course, on completion of which, the graduate can work in a mainstream school or a special school, start their own rehab center, take up Teacher Eligibility Test for government jobs, or do higher studies and get into research. This course is affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University, has the equivalence of General education and is recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India. To know more, contact 9840035203 or mail hrd@
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Police vehicle runs over 2 girls in Muz, 1 dies
Patna: A police emergency response vehicle (Dial-112) lost control and ran over two schoolgirls in Muzaffarpur district on Thursday, killing one and critically injuring the other. The incident took place in the Jajuar police station area as the girls were returning home from school. The deceased, 15-year-old Kiran Jha, daughter of Rupesh Jha, and her 14-year-old friend Mehzabi Bano, daughter of Mohammad Haider Ali, had stopped at a shop to buy samosas when the police vehicle crashed into the shop and struck them near the Government High School in Jajuar. Kiran succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital while Mehzabi remains in critical condition. Locals alleged that the police personnel and the private driver in the vehicle fled instead of helping the girls. The Dial-112 vehicle had three personnel and a private driver, none of whom have been identified so far. The incident sparked widespread protests. Locals blocked roads and damaged the police vehicle in outrage. Senior officers including Rural SP Vidya Sagar, Town ASP Shahriyar Akhtar and local SHO Hemant Kumar arrived at the site with reinforcements to control the situation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Rishi Kumar Chaudhary, Kiran's uncle, said, "Her father runs a clothing shop at Jajuar Chowk." Rural SP Vidya Sagar said the vehicle was responding to an emergency call when the crash occurred. "The girls were returning from school when they were seriously injured after being hit by the Dial-112 vehicle. One girl died on the way to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. The other was admitted to the same hospital for treatment," he said. He added, "The victim's body has been sent for post-mortem and an investigation has been launched into the incident. Action will be taken against the Dial-112 driver if he is found guilty." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
