Around India in 81 days, in a wheelchair

Lily

B.R
Staff member
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Mumbai: Four wheelchair-bound professionals are all fired up and ready to go on an adventurous tour of India in 81 days to not just fulfil their dream for travel but also write a report on how accessible tourist sites are in the country to the disabled, elderly and the blind.

This is the first time in India that an attempt has been made to find out how friendly, in fact unfriendly, are places of tourist interest for the disabled, particularly those confined to wheelchairs.

"I have always dreamed of travelling and have been planning for many years and finally my friends said they would join me on this unique journey," Arvind Prabhoo, 42, a TV network owner and an activist for inclusion of people with disabilities, told Gulf News. For the last six months, the group has been feverishly chalking out their travel plans.

Sunita Sancheti, 40, a tax consultant, Nishant Khade, 40, who is into infrastructure projects and Neenu Kewlani, who runs a publishing company are accomplished individuals in their own right but any travel within India has always had its hazards.

"Many of our friends from abroad have always wanted to come and see India but cannot do so since facilities for the disabled are non-existent here," he says.

"Starting September 28 from Mumbai, we will travel to 30 states and 45 cities covering 16,000 kms by road to visit important places of tourist interest as well as archaeological and heritage sites," said Prabhoo.

Itinerary

On their itinerary are Srinagar, a cable car ride in Gangtok, Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Tirupati and other prominent temple towns.

Calling themselves the Adventurous Four, they will undertake the Beyond Barriers — Incredible India Project, which was flagged off by the union tourism minister, recently in Delhi. Prabhoo, however, says that the government is only giving a letter to support their initiative.

"We are not only raising funds for our tour which will be an eye-opener for all but are also hoping that individuals and corporate will provide us financial backing."

The group will visit at least two tourist destinations in each state and conduct an access audit in collaboration with local NGOs working in the disability sector and state tourism department.

They will also meet the disability commissioner of every state and sensitise them about the importance and need of barrier free tourism for all.

In fact, hoteliers and travel agents need to be sensitised on the needs of disabled people, says Prabhoo.
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