INCLUSION : A TIMELESS VALUE

Ramendra Kumar

As a kid growing up, I was treated like a freak because of my extremely odd looks. Besides, I was from a broken home - which was a double whammy. That is the strong reason why I am invested in writing about the marginalized. I know how it feels to face exclusion. How it feels to be treated forever like an outsider – an object of derision, or at best, pity.

One of my favourite books, which focuses almost entirely on inclusion, is ‘Against All Odds’, published by Penguin Random House. The protagonist of the book Kartik has one arm short. He is crazy about football and plays the game rather well. He and his twin sister Kavya move from Kolkata to Rourkela because of their dad’s transfer. This is really tough on Kartik. At the school in Kolkata no one paid much attention to the fact that he was one-armed, whereas in the new school he is treated like a freak and made fun of. Worst of all, his football coach feels that Kartik cannot play a contact sport like soccer. He expresses his opinion without mincing words, “I suggest you read about football, watch  matches and try to become a commentator instead. Football is not for boys like you.” The sensitive youngster is naturally shattered.

Will Kartik be able to overcome the odds and play soccer again? Can he battle prejudice and insensitivity and rise above his disability? In the novella I answer this question while at the same time highlighting qualities like empathy and resilience which I want the young readers to imbibe.

Through the protagonist of the book, I have tried to portray how kids sometimes become a victim of ‘othering’ due to no fault of their own.

‘The Cactus’, my picture book, published by NBT, India also touches upon the theme of inclusion. The cactus grows up in a garden surrounded by pretty flowers like the rose, the daisy, the sunflower and the chrysanthemum. By itself the cactus looks ugly, surrounded by the beautiful flowers, its ugliness is even more pronounced. Though in appearance it is hard and tough, at heart it is gentle and loving. It badly wants to be friends with the attractive flowers but they treated it with contempt and loathing.

Once there is a severe drought in the region and the people go away to other cities. The flowers start wilting away. The cactus, invites them to drink the water stored in its stems. They accept its offer and manage to survive till the rains come. Later, the once arrogant flowers express their gratefulness, “We may have lovely looks, but you have the loveliest heart. Our beauty will vanish with time but your kindness is eternal.”

In ‘The Indian Maasai’, published by Leadstart, the canvas is much larger. It is a story of Lemiso, a Maasai boy who is adopted by Manish, an Indian doctor. Lemiso faces ridicule, racism and even hostility. The Doctor’s family rallies around the youngster and encourages him to take up athletics, in which he is absolutely amazing. With their support he fights against the toughest of challenges and goes on to become the first 100 metre Olympic champion of his adopted country.

In my story ‘A Special Friendship’ published recently in ‘The Hindu’ I talk about the connect between ten-year-old Rishi, who has Down Syndrome and 8-year-old Palak, who limps. Palak’s mother explains to her that Rishi’s condition is not a disease and that he is a ‘special child’. “Ma, I would rather be like Rishi than the so-called ‘normal’ kids who tease me. Rishi is not different ma. He is special, because he makes me feel special,” Palak replies.

Through my creativity I have been making continual efforts to help my readers understand and internalise the value of inclusion which is so very important in these fractured times.

Ramendra Kumar is an award-winning writer & inspirational speaker with 51 books to his name.

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