“Blind Persons Must Be Given Opportunity to Discover Their Hidden Talents” ~ Buata, PhD Scholar, JNU

Pic: BKT

From Struggle to Success: Mr. Lalbuatsaiha’s Story 

of Perseverance, Faith, and Advocacy for the Disabled

THERE is a man who came across diverse difficulties in life. He used to find people willing to read out his books for him. By listening, he learned. In this way, he began his journey into the world of education. Nothing could deter his dream.

“In Mizo society, people simply dumped the disabled persons in confined houses where they were being turned into useless. We should give them opportunity to find out their hidden talents by removing social attitude barriers so that they can contribute to the society,” said Mr. Lalbuatsaiha, a PhD scholar in JNU.

Pic: BKT

Lalbuatsaiha, born on 27 June 1984, to a humble family of Mr. Zosiama and Ms. Rothuamia, of Keifang village, Mizoram, has become a living example for many blind people all over Mizoram and beyond. He was the second youngest child born blind among five siblings, three boys, and two girls.

Buata’s father retired as headmaster of Keifang Primary School-III in 2009. His mother is an ordinary housewife. They live in a village about 75 km away from the state capital, Aizawl.

Buata’s childish dream was schooling. “My father is a headmaster. My father used to accompany me to his school. I used to sit among the children listening throughout the day to what they read. I memorized it. I used to carry a pencil and paper like other kids, who were not like me.”

“I jotted down in my notebook without seeing it. I used to show it to my teachers. But how kind and clever they were at that time, which I realized later. Though whatever I jotted had no meaning, my teachers praised me, ‘You are excellent, you can take rest now.’ In those days, my father said he used to wipe his tears secretly while seeing me. For parents, those moments must be really painful.”

In 1991, something changed his life forever. One fine day, an education officer, Ms. Vanlaldiki Sailo, of the then Integrated Education for Disabled Children (SCERT), visited the school where Buata’s dad taught. “My dad told her about me and how I love school. Ms. Sailo, who came to survey the condition of disabled children in government schools, encouraged my dad, informing him that many blind and physically disabled children get formal education in central India and many of them hold higher posts even in government services. Similarly, Mizoram also has a blind school, and many blinds get education from there, with some of them already employed under the state government.”

“When I heard their conversation, I was filled with excitement. Thereafter, I started protesting to my parents to enroll me in Kolasib Blind School, located in Kolasib district, about 160 km away from our village. But they could not imagine the possibility. They cared too much and didn’t allow me. ‘If you study there, you’ll have to sleep alone; you won’t be able,’ they told me. In those days, I never slept alone. I always slept beside my brothers. Since they disallowed me, I began sleeping alone in the sitting room. Even when someone died or when they told ghost stories, I still continued to sleep separately. The next year, I begged my parents again, ‘I can sleep alone now. So please send me to school.’ This year we’re building our house. ‘You’ll surely join next year,’ they responded. I happily waited for the year.”

In 1992, it was like a miracle for Buata, who found means and ways to convince his parents but failed in his several attempts. There came a lady to Buata’s house with Braille instructional materials. The lady, Dailovi, sent by SCERT as a resource teacher, taught him Braille.

Pic: BKT

At the age of nine, Buata joined Class I in the Salvation Army Integrated School for Blind, Kolasib. This school is run by the Salvation Army for the welfare of blind people, especially in the field of education. In this school, blind and sighted children learn together in the same class as well as the same syllabus. However, blind students were given free hostel accommodation, including food, whereas sighted children attended the class as day scholars. Buata joined the hostel happily. Amazingly, he completed three classes (I-III) in the same year. That was 1993, the year Buata waited for! As the saying goes, ‘Well begun is half done’, Buata had already learned Braille from the lady teacher before he actually stepped into class.

Though Buata was the lone blind candidate in the Class IV Board Exam 1994 conducted by the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE), he came out with flying colors — topper of the examination center, comprising eight government primary schools, and bagged a merit scholarship for three consecutive years. His academic records proved him to be a brilliant kid. He never seized less than the second rank throughout Classes V-VII, all in I Division, encompassing his classmates who were born with full sight. He passed matriculation from this school in III Division in 2000.

Pic: BKT

In 2002, Buata cleared Class XII (Arts) in II Division from St. John’s Higher Secondary School, Kolasib. In the same year, he studied BA (Hons) Political Science at Govt Kolasib College. One back subject caused him to lose a year. However, he cleared in II Division in 2006. He says there were no ready-made printed books available in Braille for blind students to facilitate their studies. Meanwhile, they followed the same syllabus as sighted students from elementary level to higher studies. So blind students always needed to employ readers to read their notes. In such situations, Buata struggled a lot since the beginning. However, the Blind Relief Association, New Delhi, and Webel Mediatronics Ltd (WML), Kolkata, assisted him in printing some of his study materials in Braille during his BA studies. But he completed all the necessary correspondence by himself with those institutions without taking any help from his teachers.

After graduation, his sister brought him to Delhi for further studies. However, due to a lack of proper information about the admission process, the entrance exams of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, and Jamia Millia Islamia University were already over upon their arrival. Buata waited for chances under any available quota for one and a half months. No luck favored him, so both returned home. The next year, he gave the three entrance exams he missed earlier. He could not make it into his preferred JNU but cleared Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). On 16 August 2007, he began attending MA (Political Science) classes. Since a hostel was not immediately available to him, he put up with Mr. Sangtea, the then General Secretary of Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Delhi Mizo Students’ Association), and his sister. Afterward, Buata’s sister left for home.

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Buata entered Old SRK Boys Hostel on 5 September 2007. “Throughout my hostel life, Sangtea and his sister extended their assistance. On weekends, they took me to Mizo Sunday Worship Service. They even accompanied me back to my hostel after the services. They treated me like their own brother whenever I needed help, which I will not be able to forget,” he said.

Upon passing his MA with 55% in 2009, Buata applied for MPhil in JNU. However, he did not believe he would get through. “What came to my mind was to try for MPhil in Jamia, where I completed my MA, which might be easier,” he thought. It was only when his friend Mr. Engkima, a PhD student, informed him that he was selected in JNU. This good news struck him while he was in a mood of returning home after losing hope. “I was too happy, so much so that I couldn’t even sleep that night,” he recounts.

Buata entered JNU on 11 August 2009 and successfully cleared his dissertation titled ‘India-Bhutan Economic Cooperation, 1997-2010’ on 25 July 2011, and was awarded an MPhil degree on 6 February 2012 from the Centre of South Asian Studies, School of International Studies (JNU). Now he is pursuing a PhD in the same center. His research on ‘India-Bhutan Relations: 1998-2013,’ which he plans to complete by July 2015, keeps him busy like a bee.

Pic: BKT

“From Master’s degree, we used screen reader or speech software called JAWS & Kurzweil (JAWS, Job Access with Speech). It was very tough to learn in the beginning, but I could cope later, and it greatly helped me,” said Buata, who was known as the first blind student in the Department of Political Science in Jamia Millia Islamia University. Before him, there was no blind student ever present in this department.

“I am very grateful to many people to whom I owe thanks. Some of which I can’t ignore are Mr. Engkima, Mr. Biaka, and Mr. Joseph, all of whom were research scholars in JNU who helped me innumerably in my MPhil research work. I also thank Delhi Mizo Inkhawm (Delhi Mizo Christian Fellowship), Delhi Mizo’s Welfare Association, and DMZP for appreciating my talent and ability. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Salvation Army and SCERT (IEDC Cell) for their constant support from elementary to my graduation. Lastly, I express my deepest thanks to our Almighty God and my parents, brothers, and sisters for their unwavering love, care, and support in every phase of my life,” said Buata with heartfelt gratitude.

Reflecting on his journey, Buata emphasized the importance of determination and perseverance, even in the face of immense challenges. “Nothing is impossible for those who are willing to work hard and trust in God’s guidance,” he remarked.

Buata’s achievements serve as an inspiration to many, particularly those who face similar challenges. His success story is a testament to the fact that with the right support system, opportunities, and unwavering faith, individuals with disabilities can break societal barriers and reach great heights.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Buata remains humble and grounded. He continues to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and strives to inspire others to pursue their dreams regardless of the obstacles they face.

As Buata continues his PhD journey at JNU, his dedication and resilience remain a source of hope and encouragement to many, proving that disabilities do not define a person's capabilities or limit their potential.

Buata depends on seven percent of his eyesight, yet he has broken many records. He is the first blind person to complete a BA honours in Mizoram, the first Mizo blind to complete an MA and MPhil, and he is currently enrolled in a PhD.

Pic: BKT

As Mizos are well known for their zeal of ‘Tlawmngaihna’ (altruism), the same goes for Buata, who never turns anyone down. He brilliantly understood English grammar from the very beginning of studying elementary English grammar. This enabled him to write letters properly in English from Class VI onwards, even in a Mizo medium. Though he was young, he could explore many blind organizations in different parts of India and foreign countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, making correspondence by sending letters in Braille.

From that stage, he used his unique talents and capacity to help his fellow blind students in need, providing Braille literature and other necessary items. He even assisted newly established blind schools in Mizoram by supplying addresses of resourceful organizations in both domestic and foreign countries, facilitating their correspondence with other institutions.

Buata’s good works did not go unnoticed. He received the Best Excellency Award from the Government of Mizoram in 2004 on the occasion of World Disabled Day, i.e., December 03. He said: “Some blind students and people working in rehabilitation sectors for persons with disabilities in both government and NGOs have approached me for advice in their studies and activities. I have helped them by giving proper information and valuable suggestions either through telephone or e-mail. If anyone needs help, I am always ready.”

Besides education, Buata is also involved in social and religious activities. He sometimes forgets his blindness, he says, with a smile. Buata was the Co-convener and Convener of JNU-Visually Challenged Forum in 2012 and 2011; an Executive Member of JNU Christian Fellowship from 2010-2012; Co-convener of JNU Northeast Students Forum from 2012-2013; a Life Member of the National Federation of the Blind, New Delhi; and also an Active Member of the Volunteers for the Blind Foundation, New Delhi.

Pic: BKT

Buata can visualize the shape, size, location, and distance of his surroundings. He stayed in a single room in Kaveri Hostel, which has a table, a cupboard, and a courtyard where some of his utensils were kept properly. He can easily go out, get the broom, and sweep his floor. His bedsheet looks neat and tidy. When asked why, he responded politely, “You know, I am a good washer-man. I can bathe and iron my clothes as you do.”

Buata has shown his computer skills by using the keyboard and mouse. He knows the location of his files and documents stored on his computer. Close your eyes for a while and try to operate your computer, laptop, or cellphone. How do you feel? It’s not easy at all! But Buata can even text and read SMSes. He can play, jump, and walk around the JNU campus. For unfamiliar places, “I need a guide,” he says. “If I’m in Aizawl, I don’t need anyone because Mizo drivers are considerate of pedestrians. But in a less-caring city like Delhi, I need a guide because any vehicle could knock me down anywhere.”

While chatting for quite a long time in his room around midnight, with a big smile, Buata stared at me and took out some bottles and eatables from his cupboard. It was surprisingly two bottles of Maaza and five packets of banana chips, which we hastily drank and ate. He never forgets the place where he keeps things. He works systematically. He has overcome darkness in many ways. A committed Christian and well-disciplined man, Buata loves reading books and playing guitar. He aims to be a lecturer in college or university.

 

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

New Delhi | 20 December, 2013

Special Correspondent for The Mizoram Post |  Zogam Today

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