State Joins International Community In Observing World Disabled Day
Dy CM assures rights of differently abled persons
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2012: As in other parts of the world, the World Disabled Day was observed at various places in the State today.

The World Disabled Day observance programme was held at Kuki Inn, Imphal under the aegis of Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, Manipur.

The observance function was graced by Deputy CM and Minister in-charge of Tribal Affairs, Gaikhangam; Parliamentary Secretary (Tribal Affairs and Hills) Victor Keishing, and MLA Yamthong Haokip as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Gaikhangam assured that the Government would ensure that the rights of differently abled persons under Equal Opportunity, Protection of Right and Full Participation Act would be given.

He said that the Government has reserved 3 pc seats for disabled candidates in job recruitment while adding that any officer or department that ignore the reservation for disabled persons is punishable under the Act.

Differently abled person

Momo Tantanga, president of All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur (ATDUM) stressed on the need to spread awareness of the issues of disabled persons to the general public.

He lamented that equal opportunity and rights are still a distant dream.

Momo also stated that the monthly stipend/scholarship for disabled students under Social Welfare department is too minimal and did not even meet the travel expense of the beneficiary who went to collect their stipend.

Various equipment including wheel chairs, hearing aids, were distributed to disabled persons during the function.

The Day's observance programme was also held at Oinam Bazar Community hall in Bishnupur district with the theme Removing Barriers to create Inclusive and Accessible Society for All under the aegis of District Social Welfare Office, Bishnupur in association with Spastic Society of Manipur as part of their Badhte Kadam 4 Campaign.

The highlights of the event were cultural shows by disabled students of Ideal Blind School, Ch Ibohal Special School and Thangjing Special School; music and dance presentation by disabled persons of Bishnupur district and staging of a short play 'Mekap Thokpa' .

The occasion was graced by Jason A Shimray, DC of Bishnupur; Dr Ng Hemantakumar, CMO; Ch Noyon Singh, DIO and O Budhi Singh chairperson of Oinam Nagar Panchayat as the chief guest and guests of honour respectively.

In Chandel district, the function was organised at Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi.

Horticulture Development Officer, Chandel Ksh Nabakishore Singh; Principal of Mission Blind School, K Pareng Kom and District Social Welfare Officer of Chandel M Chaoba Singh graced the function as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Gifts were presented to disabled persons.

Similar function was also organised at Regional Institute of Handicapped Person, Yairipok Bamon Leikai in Thoubal district.

The function was organised by District Social Welfare Office and NGO's Thoubal.

The occasion was graced by Adhyaksha of Thoubal Zilla Parishad, Khundrakpam Surnalata Devi, VP of RIPH L Ibobi and District Social Welfare Officer Th Nilakumar Singh as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

World Vision India, Sadar Hills ADP organised the Day at Bilei village in Sadar Hills with the theme Removing Barriers to create Inclusive and Accessible Society for All.

Around 60 persons including 15 disabled persons participated in the observance programme which was organised jointly by WVI and Village Development Committee.

L Michael Singh, CDC Khamenlok Cluster, WVI dwelt at length the importance of organising such occasion to promote awareness about the capabilities and contributions of the differently abled persons.

Paominthang Lupheng, CDC spoke as the resource person while blankets were also presented to disabled persons.

A slide show on extraordinary things done by disabled persons was another feature of the observance programme.

The World Disabled Day was also observed at ICD Complex, Jiribam with Lt Col RR Sharma of 22 AR; S Jadhob Singh, president of Parents' Association, ICD; Anima Roy, CDPO of Jiribam and Th Ketuki Devi, ZEO Jiribam as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

The event was organised jointly by Social Welfare, Jiribam; SSA Jiribam and Achievement of Rising Maiden (ARM) .