Place: Shirdi, Ellora Caves and Aurangabad, Maharashtra State, India.
Shirdi is a holistic place where A Muslim Saint followed by crores of Hindus. The Temple Members made excellent accessible arrangements for people with different abilities and Senior Citizens. Special accessibility caring begins at railway station and continuous to everywhere in Shirdi like Accommodation Complex, Free Food Distribution Courts and The Main Temple too.
When I reached Aurangabad Railway Station, I found Wheelchair accessible ramp to waiting hall, the moment I decided to collect information to guide the differently abled people as well as senior citizens, and started taking pictures.
In my hometown Hyderabad, India, famous Shopping Malls managements and Tourist places authorities doing minimal arrangements and they are least bothered about the accessibility for differently abled people. I really appreciate the Shirdi Temple Committee and Maharashtra Govt. for doing the great job.
At the accommodation building and food court at first floor the temple management shown special care for differently abled people and senior citizens by arranging wheelchair access ramps at entrance and elevator to Food Court.
From the accommodation building to Temple is about 2 kilo meters far, and for transit of differently abled people and Senior Citizens here we can find a Battery four wheeler vehicle at free of cost.
Flights, Trains and Buses are running from all main cities of India.
Food is free for everyone at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India.
Free transit for differently abled people and Senior Citizens.
I am inspired by https://www.oneaccessibility.org/ and I congratulate the team for extending their contributions for differently abled people and senior citizens to live a normal life.
Love to read your valuable comment with any suggestion and feedback.
@VijayaNagesh - this is great to see in many parts of your country. Is there now a mandatory national accessibility law that businesses, government buildings, parks, and landmarks, etc. have to comply? Or is this only state or territory level?
Mandatory Law is there for accessibility but not implementing through out country, with initiative of few officials - in Shirdi and surrounding tourist places all these accessibility facilities are provided.
I wish to differ here.
That is the part of the constitution itself (Article 15(2)).
That has been augmented further with supplementary legislation. Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 under sections 44, 45 land 46 categorically provides for non-discrimination in transport, non-discrimination on the road and non-discrimination in built environment respectively.
However, awareness is still insufficient.
To strengthen that further, GOI launched a campaign in the year 2015 which has the name “Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)”. You may find further information on the official website.
The changes are becoming visible now but at a slower pace.
Thank you for sharing all these places that are designed to help the differently able people. With a few arrangements it could be easier for them to see and do everything.
