Mizoram lost one of its most visible advocates for the differently abled when Nicky CR Vanlalrindika, also known as DJ Knique, passed away on March 16. A celebrated DJ who had performed at major festivals across the state, Nicky’s life was defined not just by his music, but by his commitment to the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Nicky, who founded the Differently Abled Society in Mizoram in 2006, spent over 15 years championing the cause of the differently abled community. One of his enduring concerns was the classification of disabilities in government jobs and the inequities in reservation policies.
“What the layman does not understand is that they may reserve posts for the blind, those with locomotor disabilities, or the hearing impaired, and it looks fine from the outside. But internally, they distinguish between those with low vision and those with total vision loss. Usually, only low-vision candidates are eligible. And when it comes to those with locomotor disabilities like me, whose both legs are affected, there is no post for which we qualify,” he had told EastMojo in a 2023 interview.
Nicky had been a Master’s student of History in Delhi when an accident during a vacation in Mizoram in 2002 changed the course of his life. An active sportsman preparing for the UPSC examinations, he suddenly faced a life-altering physical challenge. Undeterred, he applied for government jobs under the PwD quota, but his applications were consistently rejected.
“They would reject my forms before I even reached the examination hall. They even rejected my MCS application. In other states, there is separate reservation for low-vision and blind candidates, ensuring greater equality. Many PwDs become a burden on their families, with no chance at government jobs and no hope elsewhere,” he explained.
Frustrated but determined, Nicky shifted his focus to music. His passion for DJing, which had begun in his teenage years, became a new path. Through online tutorials and self-learning, he honed his craft and rose to become one of Mizoram’s top DJs, performing at large-scale festivals and earning widespread recognition.
Beyond his musical career, Nicky remained a steadfast advocate for systemic change. He frequently highlighted the 5 per cent reservation mandated for PwDs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, across all government schemes and poverty alleviation programmes.
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