Disability and Inclusion in the Movie 'Srikant': Empowerment Through Inclusion

The movie 'Srikant' was a beautiful, evocative, and absorbing experience. It's the journey of a person who was born with some strengths and weaknesses, like each of us. His perspective on internal struggles and his ability to overcome external challenges are truly extraordinary. And that is what makes him far more abled than many of us. He might have represented the 2% of people with disabilities, but certainly he belongs more to the 2% extraordinary group of successful people. The movie definitely has the potential to spark awareness among the rest of the 98% with its narratives.

The movie starts with the general perspectives of society and the stigmas associated with disability. It continues to represent the systematic challenges and rightly portrays how the education system undermines the potential of people with disabilities, creating a more challenging environment for their growth. Inclusive education is still a challenge in the present educational scenario. But movies like 'Srikanth' will surely help bring much clarity to the concept of disability and inclusion. Srikanth's determination to access mainstream educational opportunities was inspiring. The movie advocates for an educational system that accommodates diverse needs and provides equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their physical abilities. Showcasing Srikanth as a multifaceted individual, not defined by his disability but by his achievements and aspirations. This representation is crucial for challenging stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of disability, encouraging audiences to see beyond physical limitations.

As a teacher educator, I get the opportunity to teach and train prospective teachers. However, the lack of awareness among people about education as a discipline is startling, let alone 'Inclusive Education'. While continuing my research in the field of inclusive education, it was even more surprising that many researchers who I met working in the same field of inclusion were almost certain that it was an impossible goal to achieve in the present society. Fortunately, the root-level teachers, that is, the special school teachers, are making the impossible very much possible every day with their relentless work.

It also makes me curious: if people believe that achieving inclusive education is impossible in our present society, what are the reasons for their argument? I'm sure you don't have to be a researcher to answer that question. But we must be the ones to understand this argument and try to find the answer to that question. The movie "Shrikant" also captures answer to those question and therefore I think every teacher education college that offers a course on inclusive education must recommend this movie to their students. The film not only chronicles the incredible journey of Srikanth Bolla, an entrepreneur, but also highlights the critical issues surrounding disability inclusion and the transformative power of inclusive educational practices. By screening this movie, prospective teachers can gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the importance of creating supportive and accessible learning environments. This powerful narrative can inspire future educators to adopt more inclusive strategies in their classrooms, ultimately fostering a more equitable and compassionate education system.

Education: Expectations vs Reality

In words of great Indian educationist, philosopher and nobel laureate, Shri. Rabindranath Tagore,“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life in harmony with all existence”. True Knowledge will lead us to the path of self actualization and emancipation. Self-actualization is also one of many aims of mass education, but is it really possible to deliver? The expectations of masses from the process of Education are very high. That calls for conscious reflection over Three major headings:

1) The System

Our Education system needs to introspect on the expectations of masses and thrive to improve. It has been too much focused on Academics rather than Capacity building of students. Time and again this gap is highlighted by representatives from industries on several academic and public platforms. They often find students are not ready for industry even after attaining higher qualifications. This creates imbalance and crisis on real life versus academic life of the youth. Students often find themselves lost even after attaining higher qualification. However, it would be unfair to shift the blame on Education system alone. It also reflects on the existing unawareness among students.

2) The Students

This doesn't mean that the young generation doesn't have any aspirations for a well paying job, good earning and fair standard of living. The imbalance is projected when students are unaware of  the ways to realize their dreams. Students have overwhelming presuppositions from present Education system. They believe that Education guarantees success in form of good job. Students needs to be more aware of the industry they choose to work for and the nature of work they want for themselves. Identify the required skill-sets in industry and must work upon identified skills.

3) Current Practice

What really happens is that students take up courses that either come to them easily or in many cases are the only options available to them. We all need to understand that Education system serves as mechanism and its not an ultimate benchmark of success. It should be seen as foundation and must be treated the same. Through the process of education, students are exposed to basic skills and content related to the field.In other words, Education system lays the foundation of 'True Education' by enlightening students with range of knowledge(content) associated with the existing field of expertise. In lack of exposure the masses will be under dearth of subject knowledge. 

The Epilogue

The present system needs to be more flexible and mindful on bringing balance between skill and content while designing courses. It should collaborate with industry to design bridge courses and arrange for practical exposure of students to make them industry ready. As a driving force of the system of education, burden of responsibility lies on teachers as well. Teachers need to create a conducive environment for students for developing their capacities and not just force academics. Let's not forget that 'Knowledge' remains at the foundation level of pyramid of cognitive domain given in Bloom's Taxonomy. Education system serves as means to attend that knowledge and there by paving way for attainment of higher levels of cognition and consciousness. Consciousness is a choice and therefore, for meaningful transformation of education system, ultimately students will have to make more conscious choices for themselves.

What is Inclusive Education?

World without exclusion

Concept of Inclusive Education- Inclusive Education refers to both philosophical position and an arrangement of institutional facilities and processes; to ensure access and condition of success in education for everybody; including those belonging to margins either because of, learning difficulty, physical or mental disabilities, or social position. (NCFTE,2009; pg 13) The Rights of Person with Disability Act (RPwD), 2016 Section 2 (m) states “inclusive education” means a system of education wherein students with and without disability learn together and the system of teaching and learning is suitably adapted to meet the learning needs of different types of students with disabilities.