India Should Allow 100 Per Cent FDI In Disability Sector

WASHINGTON: India should tap the mega economic opportunity in the disability sector by allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment in it to manufacture products for the specially-abled population, an influential Indian-American activist has said.

"While newly-elected Indian government has promised to help specially-abled people of India, it should also look at potential untapped mega economic opportunity as well by allowing 100 per cent FDI in this sector to manufacture products for entire world's Specially abled population," California-based Pranav Desai, Indian-American activist in the disability sector told PTI.

With growing focus on human rights and United Nations push through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the world body estimates that there are about one billion people.

As such disabilities across the globe has become a huge market opportunity for disabled friendly, assistive technology products and services, Desai argued, adding that new Indian government needs to tap this huge market by coming out with policies that would attract global manufacturers to set up their factories in India.

"India can also produce speech therapist (all types of trainers for special education) to cater  to its domestic needs as well global needs by offering degree and diploma courses by establishing colleges for Special Needs education," he said.

Desai, who was afflicted with polio at the age of four, reached to the position of vice president of a top global IT company.

He is actively engaged in promoting education and mobility by working with NGOs (Blind People Association, The Society for Physically Handicapped and VDIS for Mentally retarded).

Desai, who would be in India this month meeting leaders of the new Indian Government, on the  disability issue, asserted that it time for India to catch up with the rest of the world in the disability sector.