Family of dwarves stares at huge uncertainty

Mirchowk: The fourth generation of one of the oldest dwarf families in Old City stares at an uncertain future, as the male survivors from third generation, who are also the sole breadwinners of the family, have entered their 50s. Given the stigma attached with the physical appearance which can be counted under handicapped category, the new generation is demanding that the State government provide government job for their survival.

The Dwarf (bauney) family now consisting of 12 members is living in Old city for almost a century from Nizam's era. The family is famous as Chauhan's in Mir Alam Mandi and everyone knows about this family, in which around a dozen people are dwarf. This family was affected by genetic condition Achondroplasia, which causes short limbed dwarfism. This dwarfism was started from their Shankar Raj Chauhan who was around only 3 feet.

Now here the 3rd and 4th generation is living with this genetic cause. "There are around 12 people in family including relatives who are affected by this dwarfism. This genetic cause was started from grandfather Shankar Raj Chauhan and it was transfers to my father Narsingh Rao Chauhan and now his 3 sons and their children are also affected by this cause," said the 3rdgeneration of dwarf family, Chandra Raj Chauhan.

Speaking to The Hans India the 50-years-old, Chandra Raj said that in his close relatives his family has the maximum number affected by dwarfism. The family members are half of the height compare to normal people. "We face my a problems while venturing in the street, as people taunt and laugh when we go outside together.

Living in the world with short height is difficult as we can't walk, run, sit, stand properly, unlike normal people. Since we can't work or do the jobs like normal beings we work as 'Marriage Welcomer' and dress up to greet the guests and to entertain them. Finding employment has proved bigger challenge for the family", he added.

"If we go out, people around us see us with a strange looks and sometimes they tease us on streets, by using different words," Chandra Raj said. Out of his total 11 sisters and brothers, eight of his siblings suffered the same disorder, while some have already passed away, including his elder brother, Prithvi Raj Chauhan.

Chandra Raj survival of the family becomes tough when everyone has the disorder and cannot work normally or become a breadwinner. "Many a times, we three brothers decided to work and no one was willing to give us a job. We have faced a lot of problems because people look at us and say, how will you manage?" he recalls.

"Later we got an offer to 'welcome guest' at a showroom, from there on we started as a 'Marriage Welcomer' by dressing up like a Maharaja to greet guest. Now we are (both surviving brothers) famous as 'RamChandra' and are now invited in many weddings, parties, functions and opening ceremonies. We earn money only by working as a Welcomer", he noted.

3rd generation getting older, a cause of concern Chandra Raj said that besides his family, whoever is affected by dwarfism is facing many difficulties in daily life. There he is requesting the government to increase the pension from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000.

He also requested that the State government consider their problems and provide jobs for the fourth generation to survive. "We request the government to provide house under housing scheme under handicapped quota, as we cannot manage our expenses in our daily wage", he requested.

MP's gesture in the last year lauded

The family in the past met several Chief Ministers during their period and political leader for seeking help but none of them helped. But last year Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi called the family at his party office at Darussalam and gifted a specially made 2-wheeler.

"We four sisters including cousins wanted to learn and become a bread earner of the families but due to financial issues and other difficulties discontinued the education", said Yamuna Chauhan daughter of Chandra Raj. Chandra Raj also said that they face health problems like after a certain age, as legs become weak. He has seen his grandfather and father facing this, but they still managed to walk properly.