PU elections: Physically challenged students may get PUSU nomination

The idea has been mooted by the Panjab University Student Union (PUSU),one of the student organisations of the university,which has reportedly decided for the first time to field a physically-challenged student as the party’s representative. Though there is major probability that the candidate will be a boy,the party members added they were not opposed to the selection of an eligible girl candidate as well.

“There are many such students in various departments of the university who rarely get any opportunity to showcase their ability because of their disability. Therefore,we have decided to give them a platform to voice their opinions,” said Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal,State President,PUSU,who put forward the suggestion in one of the party meetings held recently.

Meanwhile,Sumit Goklaney,General Secretary,PUSU said,“Many physically-challenged students have been active members of the party since long. This year we have around 10-12 such students,mostly with motor disabilities including impairment of limbs.”

A former student leader,when questioned about the absence of these students in the student council said,“These students have already experienced so many difficulties in their life that they are hesitant to come forward and undertake anymore ‘risks’. Vote bank politics is another reason.”

The party members plans to visit various departments to select such candidates,but have expressed preference to select someone from among its active members. Party members who might get the opportunity include Surender,Subhash,from Department of Hindi,Parampreet from Department of Panjabi and Dimple from UICET.

Interestingly,it has been found that over the years,many visually impaired students have emerged as active campaigners in the student elections.

“Last year,one of our party members,Gurjeet,from the Department of Hindi,who was instrumental in preparation of speeches,was visually impaired,” said Dhaliwal.

A former student council President,M S KANG said,“The excitement among such students regarding elections has always been high. There was one visually-impaired student in my term in 2002,who was the most active member during open houses.”

Another student leader,Prabhpreet,from Student Federation of India (SFI) added,“Our 2011 election campaign was majorly prepared by a visually-impaired student,Pankaj,whose dedication as a leader was greater than anyone of us.”