This episode depicts the need of mainstreaming disabled people in the process of development. Lack of representation could negatively impact on progress in the achievement of the development goals. The MDGs cannot be fully achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities. They are mostly disproportionately poorer, frequently unemployed, have higher rates of mortality; largely excluded from the civil and political processes, overwhelmingly voiceless in matters that affect them and their society.

Independent living is the right of people with disabilities to control and direct their own lives and to participate actively in society.

Independent living is the right of people with disabilities to control and direct their own lives and to participate actively in society.

Disability is lack of ability related to a personal or group standard or norm. In reality there is often simply a spectrum of ability. Disability may involve physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive or intellectual impairment, mental disorder (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability), or various types of chronic disease. A disability may occur during a person's lifetime or may be present from birth.

यानी विकलांगता से हमारे मन में जो छवि उभरती है वो उन लोगों की है जो चलने फिरने में, देखने में, या दिमागी रूप से असमर्थ हैं। WHO की एक रिपोर्ट के आधार पर हमारे देश में दस प्रतिशत लोग शारीरिक रूप से विकलांग हैं और हर तीन विकलांग लोगों में से एक बच्चा होता है, तथा एक प्रतिशत से भी कम लोगों को पढ़ाई का अवसर मिल पाता है।

वजह साफ़ लगती है- या तो इन बच्चो के लिए स्कूल नही हैं, या फ़िर इनके माता-पिता समाज के बर्ताव के कारण इन्हे स्कूल नही भेज पाते हैं। इस कार्यक्रम के माध्यम से यह बताने की कोशिश की गई है कि कुछ संस्थाएं ऐसी भी हैं, जो सरकार के साथ मिलकर विकलांग लोगों के साथ काम कर रही हैं। उन्हें समाज से जोड़ने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है और यह बताने की कोशिश कि गई है कि शारीरिक रूप से विकलांग बच्चो या लोगों को एक समान अहमियत देने की जरुरत है जिसके ये हकदार हैं।

"INFORMATION TO INFORM, INSPIRE AND EMPOWER" is the motto of George Abraham, himself visually challenged, who runs an NGO for visually challenged persons.  In this interview on Ek Duniya Ek Awaaz, he explains that the right information at the right time, about eyes and vision (or the lack of vision) can enable people to take appropriate and timely decisions, so he focuses on communication through a website, radio programme and a bi-monthly magazine in print, braille and e-text formats.

Talking of an old-age crisis in a country where nearly two-thirds of the population are below the age of 30 appears ludicrous, but there is no denying the problem. Less than a sixth of those about to retire in the next decade are covered by some form of pension, and only 2 per cent of those not working in government (where pensions are generous) will be able to fund their retired lives if they cut expenses by half, according to an all-India survey done by the Invest India Economic Foundation, a think tank that works on the pensions sector.  Apart from the serious social crisis, there's an important fiscal angle to it as well.