Disabled International Cricketer Vipul Sengupta, who had been a part of the Indian cricket team of disabled which brought Asia Cup home for the country in the year 2015 along with Mukesh Kanchan and Nishant Kumar Upadhyaya, is still waiting for a Government job and State help as promised by Chief Minister Raghubar Das one-and-a-half years ago.
Das, during a meeting with these players from Jharkhand, had promised Government jobs and other facilities as provided to other players in the State.
They tried to meet the CM again at his residence and office, but their request was turned down again and again for one or the other reasons, Sengupta claimed.
Sengupta on Saturday also approached State Disability Commissioner Satish Chandra during a Mobile Court cum awareness programme at Dikshant Mandap in Ranchi College reminding him of the promise made by the Chief Minister.
“The Disability Commissioner, who himself felt very sad to hear me, said that he will convey my concerns to the Chief Minister and also believed that we must get all the facilities being provided to a general player in the State,” said Sengupta. Sengupta, who has played series of matches with Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri lanka, also performed well in the Asia Cup.
He further said that they only get assurances from everywhere but no one actually helps them.
“I have been playing cricket since 2003 and have played five national matches. I also led cricket team of Jharkhand for the disabled in the year 2006, but still no facilities are being given to us,” said the disabled cricketer.
Sengupta further said that looking at other general players, they feel that they must also get the same facilities being provided to them. “Sometimes we feel that being disabled is really a sin……….. Passion for playing for the country has made me unemployed, otherwise I would also have been working somewhere after completing my graduation from Marwari College in the year 2013,” he said. His parents were not happy with his passion for cricket, as it could not even bring a job for him, he added.
Earlier, Governor Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Mobile and Awareness Camp for Disabled and said that every disabled has a sixth organ which makes them stand out of the crowd. “Everyone has a responsibility to help the disabled,” she added.
“Disabled must be given importance everywhere — in hospitals, offices and blocks, which they generally do not get,” said Murmu.
Stressing on organising such camps in other districts and blocks also, the Governor said that ramps must be constructed at every office, school, college hospital and Anganwari Kendra. “The disabled must not be ignored as they are the assets of this country,” she said.
Finally, she gave a message for the disabled that they should develop themselves in such fields where they felt that their disability would not create a hurdle in their way. “One need not get disheartened in case any hindrance arises before him,” she added.