Visually impaired at crossroads amid pandemic

Eighteen families of visually impaired persons residing in Montfort quarters in Chennai have been struggling to make ends meet. With Covid-19 restrictions in place, their livelihood of selling sundries and holding concerts have come to a standstill.

Chennai:Covid-19 induced lockdown turned livelihood of many people into a tailspin. It affected differently-abled people adversely. The tale of eighteen families of visually impaired residing in the Montfort quarters owned by the church at Vetterlines, Pallavaram, Chennai turned out to be an ordeal.

“We used to earn Rs 300 to Rs 400 by selling snacks and other articles in EMU trains. Likewise, we also earned by performing for concerts at temples and weddings. But nowadays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are several curbs clamped in the electric trains and no wedding takes places now in big halls as it used to be. As a result, we have become jobless and we are in critical condition with no income," said Desamuthu.

"Before the onset of the pandemic, our income was somewhat stable, which enabled us to lead a moderately decent life. But, now, we need to adjust with Rs 1,000 provided by the government as well as with the contributions from charity organizations. For the past eight months, the financial difficulties and mental agony we have experienced have been intolerable, posing uncertainties over our future," he added.

"In view of all this, the government must enhance the monthly aid of Rs 1,000 and supply us the ration provision free of cost. For the past three years, we have been demanding a raise in the monthly aid to Rs 3,000, but our request was turned down by the authorities. Moreover, the government provide permanent jobs for us,“ he said.

They used to earn their livelihood from selling odds and sundries including pencils, pens, incense sticks, burfies at railway stations and junctions. They found it hard to meet the ends during the pandemic. Their routine travel in suburban trains was also halted.