Activist and comedian Nidhi Goyal has been visually impaired since age 15, but that hasnt stopped her from leading a life full of purpose, much punctuated with laughter.
When Nidhi Goyal takes the stage as a comedian, there is often an uneasy hush before she starts speaking. There are a few sotto voce murmurs and a general discomfort that arises from not knowing what to expect or how to react. After all, Goyal happens to be visually impaired, and chances are that none of the audience members would have been to a gig by a disabled comedian before. But Goyal, who is all too aware of the uncertainty around her performance, takes the discomfort head-on with an opening line that goes, “I’m blind, so is love. Get over it!” The ice breaks immediately, and there is a roar of laughter as the elephant in the room is shooed out. This has been pretty much the way that Goyal has dealt with her disability—with a huge dose of humour where the joke is on the sighted who bumble around her, not knowing how to deal with someone with a visual impairment. “There are so many anecdotes of things that keep happening to me daily, that they provide fodder for an endless stream of jokes. For example, if I am with a friend, there will always be someone who will ignore me and address my friend asking if I want something when I am standing right there! Or there are these uncles scouting for brides on matrimonial sites, who turn speech impaired when they hear that I am visually impaired!” says Goyal.
This story is from the October 24, 2018 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 24, 2018 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AGAINST ALL ODDS
SAIKA ISHAQUE's cricketing journey is a remarkable story of resilience, determination, and triumph against adversity, writes Kayal Arivalan
MASTERING THE ART OF TEACHING
DR SANGHAMITRA BUDDHAPRIYA talks to Ravina M Sachdev about her many accomplishments and her inspiration to become a professor
ART ATTACK
KANIKA RANKA ADANI, founder of The Studio Project, talks to Ravina M Sachdev about turning her passion into her profession
GLOBAL CRAVINGS
PLAKA in Bengaluru promises an exceptional dining experience for casual dining enthusiasts eager to explore international cuisines
TAKE A BREAK IN GANGTOK
Nestled amid the breathtaking landscapes of the Eastern Himalayas, Gangtok is a serene choice for your summer vacation
NOURISHING THE NEW MOTHER
The right nutrition can help new mothers recover and feel stronger.
HOW'S YOUR AURA DOING TODAY?
Do you have a positively-charged aura? Prachi Rijhwani helps you find out
QUIT RIGHT
Pratyasha Sarkar shares ways to quit your job without burning your bridges
WRITE YOURSELF SUCCESSFUL!
Riddhima Shishupal shares ways by which you can ace professional communication
BEAT THE BURNOUT
Here are expert-backed tips to prevent burnout at work