Gopal Takes his Place and his Space: An Upward Trajectory
By Ms. Pinki Das from Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Editor’s Note: Pinki Das is a committed professional, mentor, and able change agent, influencing and teaching people across India about the power of social roles through Social Role Valorization. She knows firsthand about it, because Pinki has walked alongside Gopal, her son, towards a bigger life. This reflection on the changes in his life mirror the changes we know are happening across the country when people harness good ideas and put them into practice with people we care deeply about.
Gopal is a 19-year-old young man who is keenly perceptive, has a great sense of fun, and is drop-dead handsome. Call me biased, but he is the apple of my eye. Besides being a great love of my life, he has also been a great teacher to me, and my much beloved son.
One thing I know is that competency and social image are mutually influential, with the potential to either enhance or diminish one another. A person's perceived or actual competency often positively impacts their social image, as competence is a widely valued trait across societies. Conversely, individuals with a strong social image tend to gain more opportunities for competency enhancement. However, those with a poor social image whether due to stigmatization or other factors- are typically provided fewer opportunities for development.
This dynamic is particularly evident in Gopal’s life. He has a disability accompanied by complex support needs. To his disadvantage, Gopal's social image has largely been shaped by his perceived limitations, and he has faced barriers to both education and development. He was never welcomed to regular schooling or to interact with typically developing peers, instead participating in specialized programs for individuals with disabilities. Within these programs, he often faced further segregation, with opportunities being primarily reserved for individuals with fewer support needs. As a result, Gopal has long been perceived as someone with limited capabilities.
Recognizing the impact of these societal perceptions, we embarked on a journey to enhance both his competencies and social image. Our approach involves not only improving his skills but also changing the perceptions of those around him. The principle we applied is rooted in the Conservatism Corollary, which emphasizes preventing, reducing, and compensating for existing challenges. Gopal’s image as a dependent individual, shaped by years of limited exposure, required a deliberate strategy to reduce his dependency and develop his communication skills. Given that he is non-verbal, we focused on using adapted communication methods to help him express his needs and preferences, allowing him to communicate more effectively with others.
In parallel to this, we worked to increase his visibility and participation in community life by involving him in typical, everyday activities. Gopal began shopping for groceries at local stores (customer), watching movies at the theater (movie buff) , and dining out at nearby restaurants (foodie). Over time, these simple yet powerful actions helped integrate him into the fabric of our community. For example, the owner of our local grocery store now knows that Gopal’s favorite snack is Lay’s chips, and he even invites him to family gatherings. Similarly, the staff at our local KFC recognize his preferences and appreciate his thoughtful behavior, such as arranging chairs after meals. These small interactions were vital in transforming Gopal’s image from an invisible, dependent individual to a recognized and valued community member.
As Gopal’s participation in community life expanded, so did his contributions. At home, he took on age-appropriate responsibilities, such as filling water bottles, chopping vegetables, setting the table, and watering plants. These tasks, although simple, were accomplished with great pride, and with the support of his teachers, Gopal gradually built competencies in these areas. His confidence grew as he began to show interest in cooking, preparing meals on weekends, and even helping with small community events. He now contributes by arranging chairs at local gatherings or organizing materials for events. On occasion, he bakes cakes or prepares pakoras (Indian snacks) for neighbors during festivals, further cementing his role as a responsible and active member of the community.
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Through consistent exposure, competency development, and active participation, Gopal’s social image has undergone a remarkable transformation. From being perceived as a dependent person, he is now seen as a responsible family member, an enthusiastic exerciser, an amateur dancer, a budding chef, an adventure sports enthusiast, a budding artist, a movie lover, a traveler, and even a musician. His journey underscores the profound impact that competency enhancement and societal inclusion can have on transforming both individual lives and collective perceptions.