Working to iron out differences

In a bid to prepare themselves for life after academics, the physically challenged students of Delhi University colleges are now in favour of gaining work experience through internships.

In a bid to prepare themselves for life after academics, the physically challenged students of Delhi University colleges are now in favour of gaining work experience through internships. The current market response, as the students and teachers put it, is encouraging and students are earning a healthy stipend.

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“The physically challenged candidates seem more driven than ever and are keen on working as interns while studying in college. I personally know of five first year students who have either completed their internship recently or are doing it now during their vacation. They are mostly working with MNCs and NGOs and earn an average stipend between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000,” said Seema M. Parihar, deputy dean, students’ welfare, University of Delhi and in-charge of disabled students admission.

Rijul Kochhar, who moves around in a wheelchair, is a student of History (Honours) in St. Stephen’s College. Kochchar is working with SmartAnalyst, an MNC, as an intern. “Companies abroad have a culture of employing candidates who are physical challenged. I was primarily engaged in editing their reports,” said Kochhar.

However, Nipun Malhotra, another physically challenged student of St Stephen’s College who is working as an intern with the Indian Council for Research and International Economic Relations (ICRIER), is not in favour of this idea.

“If we can study the same course with others in the same classroom, we can also be placed through the same placement cell,” said Malhotra, who hopes to earn Rs, 10,000 at the end of his two-month internship with the ICRIER.