Hyderabad’s left-handed residents are calling for everyday design to catch up with a significant portion of the population as International Left Handers Day on August 13 draws attention to the subtle biases that persist in daily life.
Across the city, the challenges for left-handers go beyond awkward scissors or awkward writing angles. They encounter spaces and tools that implicitly assume a right-handed user, from supermarket swipe machines to biometric scanners in offices. The result is a everyday friction that can feel invisible to those who don’t experience it.
Cultural attitudes have also left a mark. Ashok Kumar, 50, a government servant, recalls a social environment that often shamed left-handedness. “Being left-handed was looked down upon. It wasn’t my fault, but society’s taunts made me learn to eat with my right hand,” he says. He remembers being the only left-handed student in a late-1980s class of 30. While stigma persisted for many, others viewed left-handedness as a sign of luck.
In the tailoring trade, adjustments for left-handed customers are a small but telling example of the broader need. Abdul Rahman, a third-generation tailor from Mallepally, recalls a client requesting reversed shirt buttons so they opened toward the left, rather than the standard right. “I had never heard of such a thing before,” he notes. The crease of the zip on trousers also sometimes had to open toward the left. It’s a narrow adjustment, Rahman says, but one that makes a meaningful difference for those who use their left hand, and he has learned to accommodate such orders over the years.
For younger generations, the battle is less about stigma and more about practicality. Anusha Reddy, a design student from Banjara Hills, says college workshops often demand seating and tools arranged for right-handed use. “Even rulers are printed the wrong way round for me, which sounds minor but slows me down every single day,” she explains.
Restaurant workers also notice the everyday inconveniences. Mohd. Javed, who runs an Irani café in Secunderabad, says left-handed customers sometimes have to reposition plates or shift chairs to gain elbow room. With space at a premium and tables small, a left-handed diner can unintentionally find themselves at a disadvantage.
What Hyderabad’s left-handers want is straightforward: design that keeps everyone moving with ease. “It’s not about being different. It’s about being able to do ordinary things without having to work twice as hard for them,” Ashok Kumar explains.
A path forward could include practical, low-cost changes in schools, offices, restaurants and public spaces. Left-handed-friendly options—such as furniture and tools that accommodate both hands, clearer labeling and alternatives for common tasks, and awareness among service staff—could reduce daily friction. Designers and business owners who listen to left-handed customers may find new opportunities as well.
In the meantime, the shared message from Hyderabad’s left-handed residents is clear: inclusive design benefits everyone. As the city marks International Left Handers Day, the hope is that more spaces will be created with equal ease of use for all, turning the daily routine into something that works smoothly for right-handers and left-handers alike.
Additional notes for editors and readers:
– A brief explainer on left-handed bias and how everyday items are designed could help raise awareness.
– Human-interest angles from more left-handed residents in different professions (education, public service, healthcare) could broaden the picture.
– Practical tips for local businesses on simple accommodations (left-handed desks, left-handed scissors, and right-left swapping of common controls) could spark concrete improvements.
Overall, the article highlights a simple truth: inclusive design makes daily life easier for everyone, not just a subset of the population. By recognizing and addressing these everyday hurdles, Hyderabad can model how cities can think ahead to be more welcoming and usable for all residents.