Punjab: Stop calling disabled children victims, they have incredible potential

Punjab: Paramjit Kaur, retired principal of Government School for the Blind on Chandigarh Road, served from 1991 to 2025 and retired on January 31, 2025. During her tenure, she gained extensive experience of working with society, parents and visually impaired students. “During my tenure at the school, I got a lot of support from everyone, but one thing I want to share with everyone: stop calling children with disabilities ‘bechara’ or ‘victims’. They are not like that. They have an understanding that other ‘normal’ people do not have. They are creative, they are talented. Society needs to change its mindset – we are still living in the stereotype era,” said Paramjit Kaur, who is herself visually impaired. She further added, “We used to get many people who wanted to donate something for these children, most of whom came from poor backgrounds.

They used to arrange clothes, food or meals for them as charity. I never refused, but I told them to sit with us and eat with all the children. They used to see everything for themselves. Slowly, the perception started to change for the better. Society started to realise that these children are normal, only without one sense. Although they could not see the world, they could feel it very well. With time, the conventional thinking of society changed.” In her message to society about children with special needs, Paramjit Kaur stressed that times have changed. “In the past, things were different, but now, do not look at a visually impaired child as a ‘victim’. Give them love, respect and boost their morale. Watch them perform well in paramedical sports or see how well they sing. They are not distracted by social media, so their minds remain pure – there is no negativity or violence. These children have incredible potential to prove their worth.”