October 2017
By Jamuna Rangachari
There are some people who show us
that nothing is impossible if we put our mind and soul into it. Riitesh Sinha
from Karnal, a case in point, views everything as a challenge and not a dead
end. “People refer to cerebral palsy as CP but I believe CP stands for capable
person,” he says confidently. Riitesh had just passed his board exams with
flying colours, securing 75 percent, when his quest for independence led him to
invent his own trike (tricycle). “I was entirely dependent on my parents to
take me to school and other places, and did not like this. Then one day, I was
watching a science video when I got the idea for a trike.”
After two
years of research and barely any technical expertise in a humble city like
Karnal, Riitesh successfully modified a regular cycle into a trike. “I added a
foot pedal that helped me steer the cycle and balance myself,” he says, adding
that he was soon using the trike to get around town, often going as far as 10
kms all on his own. It was a noteworthy achievement and liberating experience
for someone who was earlier forced to depend on others to get around. Teaching
in nearby villages as part of literacy campaigns became easier with the trike,
as did attending B.Sc. classes at Kurukshetra University. Riitesh had many
supportive teachers and friends who arranged for him to attend classes on the
ground floor. After completing his B.Sc., he went on to get a Post Graduate
Diploma in Computer Application, Certificate in Computing from IGNOU, Masters
in Technology from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Honorary Doctorate in
Computer Science from
Indian
Virtual University for Peace in Bangalore and Diploma in Naturopathy from
Nature Care Institute in Nashik. Riitesh then opened a computer centre
affiliated with the National Institute of Open Schooling. Here, he taught
children computer basics, introducing over 1,000 students to the world of
computers. He also taught a few adults. High achiever
Riitesh
landed a job at the Districts and Sessions Court in Karnal in 2011. And even
though, he was soon ousted he didn’t give up. “I approached the High Court with
my case and the Court asked me to take an ability test, which I passed
successfully. I won the case and the court quashed my termination order.” It
was for the first time in the history of the High Court that a physically
challenged person had been asked to undergo an ability test, putting Riitesh’s
name in the Limca Book of Records. Today, he works with the Karnal District and
Sessions court, and is responsible for maintaining digitised records.
Says Riitesh,
“I was once reading a story about a yogi and how he benefitted from yoga. I
started practising it myself and found great relief. Also, my body became more
flexible. I decided to help others discover the benefits of yoga.” He created a
blog that lists mudras and practices that can provide relief to people
suffering from cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease.
When asked what is the greatest
struggle that physically challenged people in India face, Riitesh immediately
says, “Social stigma.” He has observed how most people think physically
challenged people are useless. “ There are easily 25 lakh Indians who suffer
from cerebral palsy but how many are hired despite having the necessary
qualifications? I believe that if we remove this social stigma, more than 80
percent of physically challenged people can lead more fulfilling lives.”
Riitesh looks up to his parents,
his sister Anila, principal of St. Theresa's Convent School in Karnal Sr. Grace
Maria, and his teachers and friends. He doesn’t feel he is doing anything
extraordinary. “I am just doing my work on alternative therapies to make the
lives of people, especially those affected with cerebral palsy, easier,” he
says. Whenever he hears of anyone who has benefited from his experience or
work, he feels fulfilled. He keeps thinking about what more he can do to make
everyone’s life better. He loves to innovate and wishes to do so till the end
of his life.
Many people
lead their lives worrying about all the things they can’t achieve. It’s people
like Riitesh who show us that nothing is impossible. Riitesh’s sister, Anila,
often says, “For someone who finds mundane tasks like holding a pen, brushing
his teeth and wearing clothes, difficult, Riitesh has achieved a lot and that’s
inspirational.” After speaking to Riitesh, I realise that truly, nothing is
impossible as long as we do not give up in life.
Riitesh benefitted from yoga and mudra therapy and blogs about them to
help others
Source: Life Positive October 2017
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