India’s First Visually-Impaired Company Secretary Claims IndiGo Staff Mocked His Request for Help
In a shocking incident, Turab Chimthanawala, who claims to be India’s first visually-impaired company secretary, has alleged that IndiGo staff at Mumbai airport mocked his request for assistance. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the treatment of people with disabilities in the country.
According to Chimthanawala, he was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi on an IndiGo flight when he needed help to reach the boarding area due to his visual impairment. However, instead of receiving assistance, he was met with ridicule and mockery from the airline’s staff.
“I requested assistance from the IndiGo staff, but they mocked me and treated me like an inconvenience,” Chimthanawala said in an interview. “Staff whispered, gestured and mocked my request for help. They didn’t even bother to offer me a cup of water or a glass of juice.”
The incident occurred on September 15, when Chimthanawala was traveling to Delhi for a business meeting. He had arrived at the Mumbai airport early in the morning and had checked in for his flight. However, when he reached the security check area, he realized that he needed help to navigate the process due to his visual impairment.
Chimthanawala claims that he requested assistance from the IndiGo staff, but was met with indifference and ridicule. “I asked for assistance, but the staff seemed to be in a hurry and didn’t want to bother with me,” he said. “They just pointed me in the direction of the security check area and told me to figure it out myself.”
The situation became more challenging when Chimthanawala’s mother, who was accompanying him, had to guide the airline’s untrained staffer to the boarding area. “The staff was completely lost and couldn’t find the boarding area,” Chimthanawala said. “My mother had to guide him, which was embarrassing for both of us.”
The incident has left Chimthanawala feeling frustrated and disappointed. “As a visually-impaired person, I have faced my share of challenges, but this incident was particularly upsetting,” he said. “I was humiliated and treated like an inconvenience by the IndiGo staff. It’s unacceptable and inhumane.”
Chimthanawala’s experience has raised important questions about the treatment of people with disabilities in India. Despite the country’s progress in recent years, people with disabilities still face significant challenges and discrimination in their daily lives.
The incident has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and training among airline staff about the needs of passengers with disabilities. IndiGo’s failure to provide adequate assistance to Chimthanawala raises serious concerns about the airline’s commitment to disability inclusion.
India’s disability rights law, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, requires all public places, including airports, to provide accessible facilities and services to people with disabilities. However, the law is often ignored or circumvented, leaving people with disabilities vulnerable to discrimination and abuse.
Chimthanawala’s experience is a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and action to promote disability inclusion in India. As the country moves forward, it is essential that we prioritize the needs and rights of people with disabilities and work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society.
Source: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/mumbai-man-alleges-indigo-staff-humiliated-blind-mother/tldr
