Dimapur | January 28 : As Nagaland gears up with all preparations for the population enumeration of Census 2011 commencing from 9th Feb. to 28th Feb. with Revisional Round from 1st March to 5th March, there are some concerns about the upcoming census 2011 in particular to do with counting of the disabled population in the state. This time, the office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India ) are giving special focus to correct the counting of disabled persons. For too long in the past, most disabled people remained invisible and uncounted. They were not given much importance in planning, in policy making, in resource allocations, in creation of opportunities and facilities which could enable a disabled to live a life of dignity and self-reliance, equally contributing to the society, the state and the nation as a whole.
As we eagerly look forward to one of the biggest census exercise, the anxious question is, will all the disabled people be counted correctly this time? Will they all become visible? How they are being counted this time will determine their future and the future of the state in making the state of Nagaland, a disabled friendly/inclusive state for the next ten years or more. Certainly the future is promising if all of us as responsible citizens realize the importance to be counted correctly ( be it be abled/disabled person)with all correct facts and information without omission and duplication in the census 2011.
The experience of working with disabled people for the last few years has been a great learning and humbling experience, an experience of making me a more sensitive and sensible fellow human being to the needs, problems, challenges and aspirations of persons with disability and their family members. Experience has shown that the issue of disability is yet to be understood by many; by the disabled people themselves, their family members and the society as a whole.
The disabled people are yet to be acknowledged and given due importance in the home, in the schools, in the colleges, in the churches, in the Govt establishments, in the public spaces, in decision making etc.Attitude of the general community towards the ‘disabled/handicapped/abnormal’ has been more ‘disabling’ than their actual ‘physical/mental impairment’. Needs are enormous. Problems are huge. Much resource is needed. Lack of accurate information and ignorance about the issue has been the obstacle/barrier towards an inclusive society. As Census 2011 has rightly recognized the importance of correctly counting every single disabled person in the country, I cannot help myself from feeling anxious about this question, “will every single household in Nagaland willingly give correct information about their children/brother/sister/parents/grand parents or any other in the household who are disabled?” Stigma, discrimination, misconception abounds about disabled persons in the homes and in the community. This mindset needs to change to bring about changes for the better.
In preparation for accurate counting of disabled persons in the Census 2011, the National Trainers, Master Trainer Facilitators, Master Trainers and the Enumerators have been extensively sensitized and trained on disability and how to sensitively canvass the question on disability in the household schedule. But this alone is inadequate. The enumerator who visits each house has to get the correct response from the respondent of the household. The respondent has to understand the importance of sharing the correct information about their disabled member in their household to the enumerator. And as such for this awareness and preparation of the community, it is not only the enumerators duty but also the duty of every responsible and informed citizen to be aware of this and create awareness and educate as many people as possible within their reach so that households are prepared to willingly share the information to the enumerator when he/she visits their household.
Much effort has been put in by the Census Deptt and others to sensitize and create awareness, the effort has to continue and civil societies also have to continue to put in best effort. Some important platforms that has been/can be an agent for educating and shaping public opinion about Census and Disability:
Churches/Faith Based Organistions : Pastors/Priests/Church leaders can educate each of their congregation/their church members etc about the importance of accurately counting their disabled members of their churches in Census 2011. This can make a difference in the lives of disabled persons in the churches/community
Village Heads/Gbs/Council Chairman/Secretaries etc ;All village elders/leaders ensuring that every single person with disability in their village/locality/area/colony be counted in the Census 2011. Disabled persons have the right to be counted, should know that they must be counted.
NMA/Women Orgs : Every woman/every mother be reached with the information that information about their child with special needs be shared with the enumerator for the benefit of their child. Mothers must understand that her special child has every right to education, scholarships, pensions, assistive devices, corrective treatment, rehabilitation etc which can improve the quality of life of her child and her future. For this to materialize, willingly sharing accurate information about her child is important.
Govt depts.: The various deptts spread across the state manned by educated and informed citizens can take responsibility to educate as many persons/families as possible, about the importance on census and disability.
Schools/Colleges/Student Unions etc : Teachers/Students/Student Leaders must talk about census and disability in every available platform. They must ensure that every child with special needs be counted. The future of the children will depend a lot on how each individual is accurately counted for planning, policy making, implementation of various programs etc.
NGOs: Thousands of NGOs and a work force of few thousands spread across the nook and corners of Nagaland can play key role in educating the masses in their own respective areas of intervention about the importance of counting the disabled in the upcoming census 2011. Pass this information to every family who may need this information.
What each of us must know: Accurate numbers matter, sharing accurate information is important. Enumerators are appointed under Census Act 1948 and has the sanction of law and has to be performed in proper manner or face penalty (Fine and imprisonment to the extend of 3 years). Respondents are legally bound to answer such questions in Household Schedule as asked by enumerator to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Misinformation/distortion of fact is punishable (Fine and imprisonment to the extend of 3 years).
Let us all be honest and responsible citizens in making Census 2011 a great success
(The writer is National Trainer, Census 2011 and Director of Prodigals’ Home)
