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Beyond Barriers- Incredible India
INDEX Introduction Vision Mission Statement Objectives
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India Introduction Tourism comprises a blend of entertainment, exploration, relaxation, cultural enrichment and education. It serves as a get away from routine and monotony. It rejuvenates and relaxes a person when away from the usual environment. India is one such tourist destination where culture echoes, tradition speaks, beauty enthrals and diversity delights. It is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites, misty mountain retreats, colourful people, rich cultures and festivities. People with Disabilities (PwDs) have the same rights as per the constitution of the country. The Indian Constitution stresses that all should be treated equally. Then why do those with disability get no equal treatment or ‘barrier-free accessibility’, be it travel, sport or job opportunities? They have equal right to travel with dignity and grace and access to all tourism infrastructures. All are entitled to the freedom to travel and enjoy the natural beauty and sights of the country. Disabled tourists, in western countries are far more independent and travel freely because of barrier free infrastructure. PWDs from India who visit such locations can travel independently and explore many tourist destinations than our own country. This is very sad. Studies glaringly reflect an estimated statistics that about 10% of India’s population comprise of people with disability. Add to these senior citizens, temporarily injured, pregnant women, heart patients. Can you believe that this could make up more for than half of our entire population? Truly shocking! Though different from each other, these groups, too, need similar infrastructure and facilities to support their mobility in day to day life and make their life more productive than what it presently is. What most people consider as normal circumstances, NOW CONSIDER that which is mentioned here below with PWDs in mind: (a) Inaccessibility in transportation like buses, trains, taxis, railways, (b) Lack of facilities in hotels, guest houses, circuit houses, resorts, boathouses, clubs,etc. (c) Lack of access to tourist sites like, monuments, heritage structures, museums, tourist spots in general discourages them to venture out for vacation. In India majority of tourism service providers do not, understand the economic and social significance to create barrier-free tourism. There is insufficient integration of the planning and development of the built environment and tourism development, both within and across countries. The current status for tourism for people with disability is negligible.
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India
Then ‘why not PUSH it’ was what set the ball rolling for these FOUR with farsight! Arvind Prabhoo, Nishant Khade, Sunita Sancheti and Neenu Kewlani, all wheelchair users who love to travel are now taking up for this cause with vehemance and perseverance so that others, like them, too can travel independently in comfort. These ‘Adventurous Four’, as popular author Enid Blyton would have called them, are enterprising individuals who inspite of their disabilities, are keen that members in society like them are given equal opportunity when it comes to travelling and tourism. They decided to vehemently take up this important issue of Tourism for PWDs as they have personally experienced challenges and issues faced by PWDs (People with Disabilities (PwDs). They shall carry out a campaign under the aegis of Vijay Merchant Rehabilitation Centre For The Disabled (VMRCD) Vijay Merchant Rehabilitation Centre For The Disabled (VMRCD) established in 1988 by philanthropist, late Shri Vijay Merchant, is a charitable trust registered with the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra, in April 1988 and Income Tax Department Trust Cell having an IT exemption certificate under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. By making one or two places of tourist interest accessible for PWDs in each state, VMRCD firmly believes in seeing our country barrier free, a tourist destination for all.
Vision VMRCD firmly believes in seeing India, our beautiful country, barrier free, a tourist destination for all and truly treat ALL as equal.
Mission Statement Around INDIA in 80 days. To travel across India, visit 28 state capital and 40 cities covering approx 16000 kms in 81 days, for hands on experience and assessment of accessibility across the entire country.
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India
Objectives ü The team to travel across the country by road. Visit 28 states and 40 cities covering approx 16000 kms in 81 days. ü To visit at least 2 tourist destinations in each state and conduct an access audit. To do so in collaboration with a local NGO working in the disability sector and State Tourism Department. ü To meet Chief Minister and Disability Commissioner of every state and brief them about barrier free tourism. Barrier Free Tourism a MUST on their PRIORITY AGENDA. ü Submit the access audit report and other observations to the State Tourism Board, Chief Minister, Disability Commissioner and Indian Tourism Department Corporation (ITDC) ü To encourage Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to replicate the Access 4 All model of car rental service for PWDs. ü To network with other NGOs, active groups and govt agencies working in the disability sector. Sensitize them and promote the importance and need of Barrier Free Tourism for All. Meet Our Four Adventurers
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India The team will take off on 28th September 2011, by road. The team has chalked out a suitable travel plan. The states and cities have been earmarked. The midway points between each state has been identified. The team will visit following states
Sl. No 1
State
Cities
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Chiplun
2
7
Union Territory Daman Union Territory Silvassa Union Territory- Delhi Union TerritoryPondicherry Gujarat Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad Madhya Pradesh Indore, Bhopal
8
Rajasthan
Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur
9
Punjab
Ludhiana, Amritsar
10 11
Jammu & Kashmir Himachal Pradesh
Jammu, Srinagar Shimla
12
Haryana
Chandigarh
13
Uttarakhand
Dehradun, Haridwar
14 15
Uttar Pradesh Bihar
Moradabad, Lucknow Patna
16
Sikkim
Gangtok
17
Assam
Guwahati
18 19
Meghalaya Arunachal Pradesh
Shillong Itanagar
20 21
Nagaland Manipur
Kohima Imphal
22
Mizoram
Aizwal
3 4 5 6
Tourist Destinations visited/ audited
to
be
NIL NIL Lal Qila, Humayun Tomb Aurobindo Ashram, Quite beach Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham Lalbaug Palace, Bharat Bhavan, Archeological Musuem Ranthambore Park, Hawa Mahal/ City Palace Golden Temple, Maharaja Ranjitsingh Fort Gulmarg (Gondola), Dal Lake Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum & Library. Nek Chand Fantasy garden, Garden of Fragrance/ Rose Ram Rai Darbar, Mindrolling Monastry, Har Ki Pairi Ghat, Mansa Devi Temple State Museum, Bara Imambara Qila House, Khuda Baksh Library Enchey gompa, Himalayan Zoological Park Sukreshwar Park, Umanda Mandir Saint Cathedral, Wards Lake Gaykersinyi, Nehru Museum, Sanctuary War Cemetry, State Museum Bir Tir Kendrajit Park, Govindaji Temple, Manipur State Museum Salvation Army Temple, State Musuem
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India
23
Tripura
Agartala
24
West Bengal
Cooch Behar, Kolkatta
25 26 27
Jharkhand Chhattisgarh Orissa
Ranchi Raipur Bhubhaneshwar
28
Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad
29
Tamil Nadu
Tirupati, Chennai
30 31
Kerala Karnataka
Thiruvananthpuram Bengaluru, Shimoga
32
Goa
Ujjaynta Palace, Jaganath Temple Rajbari ( Royal Palace), Science City, Motherhouse Tribal Museum NIL Regional Science Centre, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves Chowmallah Palace, Ramoji City Tirupati temple, Vivekanand House, Enfield Factory Veli Tourist Park Iskon Temple, Tipu Sultan Palace, Hal Aeropspace, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Rama Fort
Arvind and Nishant will be travelling separately, by their own respective cars. Each car will have 2 drivers and 2 care givers. Sunita and Neenu will travel together in a rented car. They will be accompanied by 2 female care givers. A reputed Hotel Group which has properties in all or majority of the States and cities and can provide accessibility will sponsor the Team stay. Similarly, Government guest houses that are accessible will also be approached. Furthermore, the Team will tie up with a reputed Hospital Group and Insurance Company. Other Corporate sponsors are most welcome!
Beyond Barriers- Incredible India
To keep posted all those seriously interested in their Mission The Team, will share their experiences through daily updates that will be put on facebook.com and twitter.com with periodic video uplink on youtube.com For a gigantic mission like this, a very strong Media and PR coverage is required. The Team plans to invite the mammoth support of a popular TV channel, Newspaper Group and Radio Station. All of them will cover and further the effects of this ‘on-the-wheels’ campaign at a National level. Media will play a crucial role to create and sustain social awareness. They will also witness the challenges, and difficulties faced by the Team while exploring the tourist destinations across the country. This will hopefully also be an impetus for authorities who matter to take action on high priority basis to implement the existing laws and issue orders to the Hospitality sector to incorporate facilities for all within a certain timeframe. The Team plans to return by the third week of December 2011. Thereafter, a press conference will be organised that will also showcase a short film, reflecting the journey, highlighting the observations and experience of the Team. A comprehensive report will be submitted to The Prime Minister and periodic follow-up will be conducted by VMRCD. Now, do YOU understand why we need your support in making our country, barrier-free for all. So, COME, JOIN us in our achievable mission to make our India, a tourist destination that is accessible and absolutely barrier-free. We DEPEND on you, so JOIN US in our achievable mission to make our India, a great tourist destination, barrier free for all.
Please visit the link below www.facebook.com/fearlessfour
Your suggestions and support will be appreciated.
Registered Office B/7 Sunder Dham, Rambaug Lane, Off. S.V, Borivili (W), Mumbai - 400 092. Phone No : 26166755 email: beyondbarriers@vmrcd.org website : www.vmrcd.org
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