Mumbai: The differences between the left and right ideologies are all right, but discrimination based on left or right-handedness is unacceptable, runs the central theme of a left-handers forum here, which has planned several programmes on the International Left Handers Day on Saturday.

Left-Handers Club has organised various events to mark the International Left Handers Day, observed on August 13.

“The five fingers of a hand are not the same, then how can we expect all human beings have the similar tendency?” asked the founder of the Left-Handers Club, Sandip Bishnoi. Making a strong case for ending cultural and religious prejudices prevailing against the left-handers, he claimed researches have shown that left handers are more creative and intelligent than the right-handers. Bishnoi said the Club has organised various events to mark the International Left Handers Day, observed on August 13 to eradicate these prejudices.

“We are born and raised in a society where being left-handed is considered inauspicious and inferior,” he said. “By forcing left-handed children to use their right hand is like suppressing their natural instinct. Being ‘lefty’ is considered abhorrent in many societies across the world. In our country, using left-hand in religious ceremony is considered bad,” he said. “Our cultural conventions do not allow one to use left hand to accept ‘prasad’ or apply Kumkum. Parents of left- handers often force their children to use right hand out of fear of bad omen and societal pressure,” he said.

Famous left-handers include Mahatma Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and Barack Obama.

Famous left-handers include Mahatma Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and Barack Obama, he said. The Indian Left-Handers Club, which has more than 1.50 lakh members, has been working towards removing the prejudices about being left-handed, he said. It holds various activities, campaigns and implements schemes. This year the main attraction is ‘Lefties Got Talent’ contest for left-handed children. Students who have achievements in music, singing, acting, dancing, sports, education, arts and creative fields are eligible for ‘Lefty Genius’. “Bachchan has made a remarkable contribution in film industry and entertained people for four decades. He should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” Bishnoi added.

PTI