www.daijidubai.com

Powered by Walter, Nandalike 

HUMAN SPIRIT IS INDOMITABLE

Calistus D'sa

From our correspondent in Bahrain

This is true story of a dauntless and courageous totally blind man by birth, Calistus D'sa, who, in his hunger for opportunity is climbing the ladder of his life, undeterred by his handicap and the apathy of the society.

Born in an Agricultural family in a village, Kodangala that belongs to the Moodubelle Parish, Udupi Dist, Karnataka. Son of Thomas D'sa and Florine D'sa he is the seventh child out of nine children.

Further more his eldest sister is also totally blind by birth like him. Since his family lived in the rural area, the knowledge regarding the opportunities available for the blind was little know. Thanks to Rv.Fr. V.G.F.Rego, who was then the parish priest of St. Lawrence church Mood belle for it is due to his help and service, Calistus was sent to a blind school in Bangalore, along with his sister at the age of four.

How does he remember his first few days in school?

That first day in school was really frightening. I must have cried for most of the day. Of course most of the children cry on the first day, but in my case it was definitely different. Since I was so far away from home, the lingering thoughts of my parents haunted my mind. Here I must give full credit to my sister who was always playing the mother's role and counseling me". Cali as his near and dear once call him stayed in that boarding school and completed his S.S.L.C. with a higher second class. In a blind school, the teaching takes place with the help of Braille. Braille system is a script based on dots, where a blind person reads with the help of his fingers.

The writing is done with a special needle known as a Stylus. The first thing taught to a student is Braille of course now days there are special computer programs for the blind. There are both blind as well as sighed teachers to teach. What about his sister? "When we joined the Devine light school for the blind, she was in her late teens so she was taught some handicrafts but she had to leave school and come back home.

Cali came to Mumbai after his.S.S.L.C. In 1979 and went on to complete his B. A. degree in subjects Sociology and Political science through St. Xavier's college.

 How does he relish his college days?

" St.Xaviers College which is one of the best colleges in the country, has been giving very good support for higher education, when it comes to disabled people. During my college days I stayed in a hostel where I got a chance to mix with the sighted people. We were just a few blind students in the entire college. It is here that I got ample opportunities to know the ifs and buts of life".

While reading this brief sketch of Cali one thing that naturally comes to mind is, how does he prepare and write his exams? Since there are no books available in Braille, in India, he has to depend upon other for help. In other words he has to listen or record the matter while a sighted person reads to him. When it comes to his exams a normal person writes while he dictates the answers. The writer, he or she must be less qualified than him.

After his Graduation he join the University of Mumbai and finish his Master degree in Sociology with a second class in 1986. " I wanted to do some thing challenging in life so I decided to do my M.A. and to get a Ph.D. and thus teach in a college". That means were you interested in teaching? "Yes I was I even got a part time job in a college but had to live as it was made a full fledged commerce college. Believe me I had applied to many colleges that include the Christian institutions. But, alas! These Christian institutions were the first once to kick me out saying that still there is a prejudice that a blind person cannot tech in a college. What a shame? Let me mention here that in the U.S., there are millions of opportunities for the blind.

There is even a blind scientist Mr. Kent Culars working for the NASA. All books and even the newspapers are printed in Braille. Believe me, even books such as playboy are available in Braille. But please don't get disturbed because there are no pictures. When its comes to India it is the other extreme. . "No one gives us sufficient care and attention. The government is worried more about scheduled castes, Mandal commission etc. than the unfortunate handicapped once. An SC, ST student has many privileges; he gets a job by virtue of his caste status. He need not fulfill all the requirements for an interview. But why are all these denied to handicapped persons? Is it because they do not form a formidable vote bank unlike the SC/STs? A blind student is not able to write, and so, he has to take the help of a writer for his exams. But he is given only half an hour extra to finish his examination and he is prevented from mentioning on the answer paper that he is a blind student.

The highest a blind girl or a boy can aspire in our country is to be a telephone operator in a roadside booth. However after getting that part time job I registered myself for a Ph.D. here I must mention the full encouragement and the support given to me by my entire family. When it comes to research it becomes really very challenging, as we are to refer to hundreds of books. As we have to always depend upon others".

About his plans after his Ph.d., Cali had many things to reveal...

" I had so many thoughts and plans after my Ph.D. I wanted to teach full time and settle in life. I even wished of going to the U.S. for my postdoctoral studies. Ph.D. Involves a lot of finances. I could not complete my research due to an accident that I met in Mumbai. After this I was in my native place for about four years under going treatment for the same through K.M.C. Manipal. Even here I was not sitting idle. Since there are many Catholic Institutions in D.K. I thought of trying my luck. But I met with the same negative, discouraging results. I even got a chance to meet the Bishop of Mangalore but to my utter dismay he also treated me like an alien. Here I must mention that some people like Mr. William D'sa (retired teacher Moodubelle) and others put both their head and heart and heart and soul in keeping my optimisms in life to their highest level. The Lions club Moodubelle, is also worth mentioning.

At present, Calistus is on a visit to Bahrain it is because of his family members it has made him possible to go to Bahrain. Naturally one Question that comes to mind is that is he looking for some job opportunities in Gulf?

"Yes if I get a chance I will go for it, but here also it is not at all easy".

Now let us go a bit personal. First of all tell us some thing about your hobbies and extra curricular activities.

 " From my childhood days I had a passion for music. In my school I was taught to play the violin, though I have lost touch. I listen to a lot of Indian music though I am a Christian. Other than this I am interested in sports and games. I listen to a lot of cricket, commentary. We use to play some cricket during my school days. Here the ball was different. There was a bell put in the ball and we use to play as per the noise". I remember breaking my front teeth, while playing Kabadi at school. Is it true that you sing as well? " Yes I do but only to myself. In other words I consider myself to be a bathroom singer. I have some interest in writing poetry". Calistus is a budding poet, to say the least. Going through the collection of his poems, I could identify a note of pessimism, perhaps denoting his own occasional dejected mood. As a blind man, struggling to find his path, had he lost faith in Indian Society?

Are all your bothers and sisters settled? "Yes only two of us that is me and my eldest sister are not married". Why is it that your are not married? " Which girl will get married to a person like me?" To say the least I have fallen in love but only one sided."

Cali, can you please tell the readers about your concept of the world? "

Well, we depend upon four senses that is smell, touch, taste and hearing. We have to imagine the world through our mind and the above mentioned four senses. I get frustrated due to many reasons for example when no one comes to help us while waiting for some help to cross the road etc. In Mumbai and Bangalore, I use to travel on my own with the help of a white cane. In some western countries there are specially trained dogs for the blind, which help them in guiding".

Are you always happy in life? "

It is always better to be happy, rather than to be sad. Every one will share the laughter but no one shares the sad tears". Noticing Cali's enthusiasm, I could not help asking,

"who is the guiding spirit behind your success story?"

Cali became eloquent. "The person who influences me most is the well know Helen Keller. She had multiple handicaps (blind, def and dum) and yet achieved greatness, I have only blindness. The sagacity of Helen Keller proved that human spirit is indomitable, no matter what your physical handicap is, and such a spirit is essential to succeed in life. The autobiography of Helen Keller, story of my life has always been a light through my thorny path. It has taught me to accept the inevitable in life."
 

Calistus ended with a beautiful quotation from Helen Keller as a message for youth: - "Hungry for opportunity, angry at charity" No sympathy, please, because I am blind. After all every creature -- plants, animals, human beings-- has some handicap. Do not seek for sympathy and charity, but look for opportunities."
 

Our sincere thanks to Mr. Marian D`Sa Bahrain- Konkandaiz.com

Email this page to a friend

Click here to comment on this article

Archives