NUAPADA: Disability is not a handicap for them for contesting polls. In a welcome change, many physically-challenged candidates are in fray in the panchayat polls in the district. As their capability and potential have yet to fetch them jobs due to indifference of the administration, they are out drive home a point __ they can be good elected representatives ushering in positive change in this backward district.And leading the pack is Zilla Akhyama Samiti vice-president Achutananda Sunani (40). He is contesting for a panchayat samiti (PS) member post from Nilji gram panchayat (GP) in Nuapada block. A road accident saw his right leg paralysed but it has not deterred his mobility. Besides Sunani, there is Gajanan Patel (25) whose right hand does not function since childhood. He is a PS member candidate from Bargaon GP under Khariar block. Sabita Das (30), who is fortunate to have got married despite being differently-abled, is contesting as a PS member from Badi GP under Khariar block. Both her legs do not function properly since childhood but she manages her household chores efficiently. Now she has taken the poll plunge to send across a message to the people of her ilk and the society __ where there is a will there is a way. Similarly, sarpanch candidate Mohammad Raju (50) was fine till a road accident made him handicap. His right leg bore the brunt of the accident but he has taken the deformity in his stride and looks forward to participate in the development of the district.The case of Gitamitra Niyal (30), candidate for PS member post from Nilji GP under Sinapali block, is no different from that of Laxmiram Patel and Ganesh Padhani, both candidates for ward member posts in Bhojpur and Khasbahal GPs respectively under Khariar block.Despite their handicap, all the candidates exuded confidence of romping home. It’s Pradip Agrawal, president of Zilla Akhyama Samiti, who encouraged them to try their luck at the hustings defying the odds.
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