A Disabled Friendly Railway Station

A station for all in it's true sense. Only a few days  ago  , Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station became the first railway station in the country to introduce portable wheelchair ramps and foldable wheelchairs. Thanks to this truly amazing wonder woman , Virali Modi.  On a crowded Mumbai Central platform, Virali seated in her wheelchair wondered how she could possibly board the train coach. After which two porters came to help, but as they carried the teenager in, they began to touch her inappropriately. She didn't react worrying her reaction would lead to them dropping her midway. This was in 2008 when she came back home for treatment from the US where she had been raised and later got paralyzed. Viral knew this would happen again but she had to stop this.  ‎This incident leads her to start an online petition talking about the same and asking the government to take matters of the disabled into consideration and make Railways friendly for the disabled.   ‎A decade later her petition on Change.org demanding that the railways and the ministry for women and child development to initiate disabled- friendly measures has churned a transformation. On Wednesday, the Delhi Commission for Women presented her with an award for a sparking change but Virali now 25, vows to continue to fight for the disability rights and making the country more accessible for each disabled citizen.  This wonder women who have also been a motivational speaker, model and a former Miss India wheelchair runner-up said the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has acknowledged her dedication and has promised to make changes towards making Railways more accessible.  Having wheelchairs accessible at Railway stations will not only help the 2.68 crore Indians with disabilities ( according to the 2011 census) but also many elderly who need support to climb staircases and support.  ‎Its good to see these initiatives and steps taken by individuals towards making India a better country and a country more sensitive and sympathetic about various social issues. Let's hope 2018 has many such initiatives for a positive and healthy future.