Abhinaya, the differently abled actor (hearing and speech impaired), who came to limelight with Samuthirakani’s Nadodigal has been roped in by Election Commission of India among other celebrities as an ‘icon’ to encourage persons with disabilities (PwD) to cast their votes in the forthcoming Telangana elections. Abhinaya, who lives in Hyderabad, is featured in a video in which she says through sign language that she would cast her vote during election. “I would cast my vote in the upcoming elections. Voting is every citizen’s right. Every PwD voter should discharge his/her democratic duty and come to the polling booths and vote during election date”, she insists in the video.
Abhinaya explains EC’s elaborate arrangements for people with disabilities for a hassle free voting such as provision of sturdy ramps, wheelchairs, signage boards, designated parking, direct access to polling stations and to and fro transport with the help of booth level officers.
In an exclusive to DC, Abhinaya’s father Anand shares how his daughter feels about being chosen for a prestigious cause. “She is very happy and proud and feels that she is fortunate to be part of a good effort. Telangana CEO Rajat Kumar and Shailaja, commissioner for persons with disabilities, approached us to be part of this venture. Instead of calling them goodwill ambassadors, they call these celebs as ‘icons’. There are approximately about 7 lakh PwD voters in Telangana and these celebratory icons would urge them to exercise their franchise in the elections. As of now, she is part of the government-produced video, screened in theatres and aired on television channels. They also took her to two big gatherings in colleges where she created awareness.” She will also campaign if needed,” Anand asserts.
Abhinaya’s dad also shares another good news with DC readers. “Abhinaya is also being considered by ECI to represent the disabled at national level as ‘National Icon’ in the forthcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Hope it comes through.”
On the work front, she has a film Kuttaram Purindhaal, where she essays a police officer, a Telugu and a Kannada movie in her kitty. And the icing on the cake is that Abhinaya has been nominated by her producers for the ‘Best Actress category’ in her debut Hollywood film One Little Finger at the International Berlin Film Festival. “Keeping our fingers crossed,” smiles Anand as he signs off!
