August 7, 13:28

Visually Impaired Students at NIEPVD Raise Serious Concerns About Learning Conditions and Support

The Gen Z and Gen Alpha movement, focused on improving education and rights, has spread to visually impaired students in Dehradun. Students at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) have raised several serious grievances against the institute's existing systems, pointing to long-standing issues related to their needs.

NIEPVD, a leading government institution of the Indian government located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is dedicated to the education, training, and rehabilitation of people with visual impairments. However, students studying there have reported numerous difficulties they face in daily studies and accessing necessary amenities.

During an interview with representatives of Aaj Tak, the students addressed many topics, including the cost of Braille devices and scholarship issues. They claim that they lack adequate conditions for accessing necessary equipment and covering its expenses. Furthermore, the students questioned aspects related to their educational needs.

The students brought up the problem of expensive devices associated with Braille machines. They emphasized that Braille material is critical for the education of visually impaired individuals, making easy access to the relevant equipment a necessity. Questions regarding scholarships were also raised, as students are facing difficulties with financial aid.

The female students also reported instances of alleged mistreatment within the institute, highlighting serious issues regarding behavior towards female students on campus and the need for a more sensitive approach and system improvement in this regard.

Students also shared their problems related to medical care. They accused the dispensary of insufficient promptness in addressing healthcare issues. In the students' view, easy access to medical care is extremely important for visually impaired people, but they encounter obstacles in this area as well.

Another issue raised by the students was the acute shortage of mobility instructors. Students consider the role of a mobility instructor extremely important for visually impaired people, as it helps them move freely and perform daily tasks. Due to staff shortages, many students are forced to live in hostels.

According to the students, with a sufficient number of mobility instructors, they could gain greater freedom in going out and moving around, as well as in other activities corresponding to their needs. They note that the current situation directly affects their daily lives and studies.

The students also identified another academic problem: some subjects were translated from English to Hindi, but the corresponding textbooks have still not been provided. The students warn that the absence of learning materials after the language transition will inevitably affect their education and exam preparation.

The students also raised the issue that the head of NIEPVD is not a permanent employee. They believe that in such an important center as the institute, there must be stable leadership. In the students' opinion, administrative stability could contribute to a more effective resolution of their problems.

The students raise all these issues, demanding not just the registration of complaints, but the creation of a system that seriously considers the needs of visually impaired students, ensuring improved basic conditions such as education, healthcare, transport, scholarships, and learning materials.

Aaj Tak attempted to contact the director of NIEPVD regarding the students' demands and allegations. However, the director declined to make any comments on this matter at the moment. The institute's position on these student accusations and complaints may be included in this report after receiving an official response from the institution.

www.aajtak.inJuly 26, 10:42

Gen-Z movement in India shows a new approach to protests, characterized by discipline and dialogue

Ten years ago, many would have laughed if someone suggested that the meme-creating generation could force a minister's resignation. For a long time, there was a belief that Gen-Z was confined to mobile screens, engaged in creating memes and videos, remained distant from politics, and did not dare to take to the streets over serious social issues. However, recent events in South Asia have completely refuted this view.

Comparison of youth movements in the region

Youth in countries from Nepal to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India raised questions to the authorities regarding their problems. In some cases, governments fell, prime ministers changed, and the political system was set in motion. Among all these movements, the Indian Gen-Z movement demonstrated that in a democracy, protest can win not only through anger but also through restraint, satire, and dialogue.

Examples of protests in neighboring countries

In Nepal, the movement against the ban on social media quickly escalated into violent clashes. In Bangladesh, a dispute over job quotas led to a change of power, forcing the prime minister to leave the country. In Sri Lanka, a crowd gathered at the presidential palace due to the economic crisis, engaging in vandalism, setting buildings on fire, and forcing the president and his family to flee the country.

Although the youth in these three countries left their mark on history, the price was very high: the death of dozens and hundreds of people, arson of government buildings, the army taking to the streets, and changes in government. The story of India turned out to be different.

The situation with Gen-Z in India

The anger of Gen-Z in India was also strong. The future of millions of students was at stake. The issue of the leak of the medical entrance exam was not just a matter of one test, but a blow to the trust upon which the dreams of millions of families were built. When questions arose about the examination system, despite years of preparation, expensive courses, financial pressure, and psychological stress, discontent naturally flared up. However, it was at this moment that the Gen-Z of India chose a path that gave the entire movement a special identity.

Jantar Mantar as a platform for dialogue

Jantar Mantar in Delhi ceased to be just a place for a picket. It transformed into a public arena where anger, arguments, satire, and faith in democracy were present. Here, government buildings were not burned down, nor were acts of vandalism committed. Winning the movement was not considered damaging public property. The most important thing was that the language of the movement maintained dignity.

Memes as a weapon of protest

Perhaps this was the greatest strength of this movement. The generation often ridiculed as the 'meme generation' turned memes into a tool of protest. But these memes were not aimed at insulting or cursing specific individuals, but at satirizing the system. Although provocative memes occasionally appeared, the students did not abandon the main goal of the movement.

One placard read: 'Protecting from mom's pants leak is better than NTA.' Another placard, using the popular meme of Arpit Bala, stated: 'We don't have... accountability.' Yet another placard made millions laugh on social media: 'Questions are leaking here, and even Taylor Swift's wedding photos haven't leaked there.' A third placard read: 'I didn't study, and I won't let you study.' This was not just humor; it was a new way of protesting. If slogans were once written on walls, now the same slogans spread through posters, Instagram reels, viral posts, and memes, reaching millions in a matter of hours. Gen-Z showed that the internet can be not only a means of entertainment but also the biggest platform for democratic dialogue.

Discipline and understanding of democracy

Photos from Jantar Mantar attest to this change. In some places, students were taking 'fitness checks' in front of police barriers. Other friends laughed, saying, 'Mom said if they hit us with sticks, we should endure it.' After being detained, students, sipping tea, would say, 'Let's drink tea, and then continue the protest.' Despite all this, the main goal of the movement never disappeared. This was the greatest political understanding of this generation: it skillfully balanced entertainment and message.

Another huge strength of the Indian Gen-Z movement was its discipline. Thousands of students came from all over the country to Delhi. They marched to the Parliament. Clashes with the police occurred, tear gas and batons were used. Students were detained, and many were injured. Nevertheless, the main goal remained unchanged: not to use violence, not to damage public property, not to spread hatred against any community or person, but to demand accountability within the Constitution.

History shows that when protests become violent, their original question takes a backseat, and the news only features fire, stones, and clashes. But in the Jantar Mantar movement, cameras captured something else: posters filled with memes, the national flag, mentions of the Constitution, slogans of 'Jai Hind,' and most importantly, questions—questions to the education minister, questions to the system.

Support and pursuit of solutions

This is why the movement gained support from various segments of society. Students secured the support of families, doctors, teachers, actors, and many public organizations. The movement became not partisan, but generational. Another important aspect that distinguished Indian Gen-Z was its understanding of democracy. In many South Asian movements, dialogue opened too late or not at all. In India, students maintained pressure in the streets while keeping the door open for negotiations. The CJP delegation met with the government, presented demands, and asked for answers. When the main demands were accepted, they decided to end the protest peacefully.

It is here that the Indian movement appears unique. Often, protests continue even after achieving victory, becoming a platform for new political ambitions. But here, the students stated that the goal was achieved, and the picket would conclude. This strengthens the culture of democracy in which protest is a means of achieving a solution, not constant confrontation.

Shift in protest paradigm

This movement shattered another myth: that today's youth are active only on social media. Jantar Mantar proved that social media, when linked to real problems, can bring millions to the streets. The difference is that this generation creates memes alongside posters, reels alongside speeches, and satire alongside slogans. While other movements in South Asia changed the government, the movement in India tried to change the mindset. It showed that in a democracy, victory does not always mean overthrowing the government. Sometimes the biggest victory is making the government hear the voice of the people.

Thus, the Gen-Z movement in India became not just a student protest, but a new chapter in democratic culture. It proved that the new generation can be effective without turning anger into chaos. It can create memes but not forget the problem. It can stand before a police barrier but not throw stones. It can confront the government but not democracy. Perhaps this is why, when looking at recent youth movements in South Asia together, it becomes clear: Nepal changed power, Bangladesh changed administration, Sri Lanka changed president, and Gen-Z India changed the language of protest.

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