SOCIETY

To Babloo of Varanasi, physical disability is no handicap
by Girish Kumar Dubey

     Hathigaon (Varanasi): Born without hands, Babloo of Hathi Gaon near Varanasi has proved how a determined mind can make a difference to life and overcome physical handicaps. Twenty two-year-old Babloo has fought his way to lead a normal life despite not having hands since birth. He refused to give up before his physical disability and trained himself to be an independent person. Parents were disappointed at his birth, as he was born without forearms. But little did they know their kid could be a help to them. Babloo received encouragement at every step in his life. "My parents asked me to become independent while taking my own time. They started teaching me and I started learning to be independent. Now I can fetch water and play cricket," said Babloo. Babloo is the only child of his parents. They always wanted him. "He is handicapped since birth. He can do all the work himself. He has belief in himself and therefore can work independently," said Shantidevi, Babloo's mother. Today, Babloo can work almost like any normal human being. He also helps his parents in their routine tasks like fetching water from the well and even ploughing the field. "I was sad when he was born. I sent him to school and told him to become independent so that he could support us in farming or some other work so that he need not depend on my support," said Lakhidadi Ram, Babloo's father. Despite his stumped hands, Babloo plays cricket along with his friends at the village grounds. His parents are today proud of him. He has become a sort of role model for his friends and many others in the neighbourhood of Hathi Gaon. "We are not only surprised but also feel really happy when we see that Babloo can do all the work himself," said Sanjay Kumar, Babloo's neighbour. The saga of Babloo of Hathi Gaon proves the maxim that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, and then sky is the only limit.
-Sept 17, 2008    

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