Redefining Disability and Empowering Lives Through Mudraas and Advocacy
Author. Corona warrior. Poet. Naturopath. Mudraalogist. Creative innovator. Consummate student. Model employee.. Many achievements, one name – Dr. Riitesh Sinha.
Dr. Riitesh Sinha is a multi-dimensional personality who cannot be summed up in a single word. A poet, mudraalogist, author, YouTuber, and holder of several world records, including the Limca, OMG, India Book of Records, and International Book of Yoga Records, Sinha's achievements go far beyond traditional recognition. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he has written a pioneering preamble in Hindi and English that seeks to redefine the concept of disability.
Sinha passionately believes that the issues surrounding the disability narrative in India should be discussed and shares his vision of what must be done to change current attitudes. He writes in his debut book, *Understanding Cerebral Palsy*: “People shorten Cerebral Palsy to CP. Capable Person is also shortened as CP.. Just sympathy is not acceptable to person with CP.” His words reflect his commitment to changing the way disability is viewed and treated in society. His book Understanding Cerebral Palsy is listed among 'The Best Cerebral Palsy Books of All Time' on BookAuthority.org.
Sinha strongly believes that sympathy should not be part of the disability narrative. Instead, the focus should be on inclusiveness, solidarity, and collective responsibility. Equal opportunities must be provided without judgment based on physical abilities. Despite the enactment of the Disability Act in 2016 and the introduction of several programs for 'Distinctly Abled persons,' such as ‘The Purple Festival,’ 'Special Rahigiri,' and ‘Divya Kala Mela,’ which offer platforms for disabled individuals to showcase their talents, Sinha emphasizes that much more needs to be done. He highlights the need for open dialogue around healthcare, independent living, and decision-making, all of which should recognize the individuality of people with disabilities.
Sinha is deeply disturbed by incidents such as the sexual assault of a disabled woman, who struggled to communicate her trauma to her family. His own journey, shaped by the challenges of Cerebral Palsy since he was one year old, has fueled his determination to overcome barriers and champion the cause of disability rights. One of his contributions is the development of a novel, self-designed, foot-operated tricycle for outdoor mobility. He has also developed ‘Riitesh Mudraa,’ a hand Mudraa named after him, which has become a key element of his therapeutic approach.
Explaining his role as a Mudraa therapist, Sinha says, "I only teach what I have experienced myself." He cites the Vedas, particularly the Atharvaveda, which references Mudraas as healing tools. Quoting from the Atharvaveda, he says and adds, “Fortunate is my left hand, yet more fortunate is my right. The left hand contains healing balms that remove blockages in the flow of joy, while the right hand brings wholeness with gentle touch”.
Mudraas, as Sinha explains, are part of ‘Mudraa Vigyan,’ the science of hand gestures, and a key element of Tattva Yoga, the science of the elements. These gestures are symbolic of energy and can help activate and balance dormant energies within the body, easing pain and discomfort. “Unlike yoga, Mudraas can be practiced anywhere. Even a disabled person can. Our palms have over 5000 nerve endings, and by stimulating them, we can activate corresponding areas of the brain,” Sinha notes.
The practice of 'Riitesh Mudraa,' which combines ancient Indian Mudraas with modern acupressure techniques, has been particularly beneficial for individuals with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological conditions. Sinha's own experiences with the technique are a testament to its effectiveness. He has also developed a unique method for holding a pen, known as the *Riitesh's Method of Holding Pen*. His research on this method was published in *Shodhkosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts* and is featured on ResearchGate, further validating his work. Recognizing the benefits of Hasta Mudraa, March 30th has been declared as Hasta Mudraa Awareness Day to raise awareness and encourage its practice for better health. To make life easier for people with Cerebral Palsy, he has also designed adaptive clothing.
He is also a Corona warrior. He has helped people develop immunity against the coronavirus by using natural therapies through his poems and haikus on his social media platform,
In 2012, he was awarded the CavinKare Ability Award by Ability Foundation, Chennai. Dr. Riitesh Sinha: Redefining Disability and Empowering Lives Through Mudraas and Advocacy
