I couldn’t help it. Today I called the District Magistrate of Tehri and let loose. She had insulted two of my colleagues who had traveled all the way to her seat of power for a meeting (you can read about it here) and – on their behalf – I was furious.

How dare she? We are doing as much as we possibly can for people with disability here in Dehradun. To be maligned in public because we are not able to do the same for people with disability in Tehri (four hours away by difficult roads) – especially when she and her colleagues who DO live there are doing zip – struck me as simply unacceptable.

So I lost it.

But I’m glad I did.

If the DM had been doing her job and we had not, I could accept the criticism. But when the situation is the exact opposite (at least as far as we are concerned. Maybe she is doing a lot and I am just not aware of it.),  it is not possible to sit silently and listen to unfounded attacks.

So I didn’t.

I think she was a bit surprised to hear such a spirited defense and I don’t think she liked it one bit.

But you know what? I am tired of government officials who blame their own inadequacies on people like us who are only trying to fill the gaps which their “work” has created. Voluntary organisations only exist because the government isn’t doing its job. If I had my way, I would be a full-time writer. That’s what I love; that’s what I’m good at.

But in the present scenario, that’s not an option. We need to continue to do what is needed; we need to continue to fill in the gaps. But we do NOT need to be insulted or humiliated in the process. We are picking up the pieces, damn it! We are your safety net!

Officials like the DM of Tehri should accept their limitations and rejoice in the existence of organizations like ours. We’ve got your back, Madame DM. Without us, you will fall.