Website for PWDs launched in CCPur
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, December 30 2010:
The first website for the disable people in the district was launched today by the Centre for Community Initiative (CCI) at Dorcas Hall here by the Assistant Commissioner Maniram Sharma IAS, a disable himself.
The launching of communityinitiative.org was a historic moment for the district in general and the disable population in particular as it marked the commencement of the district fixing its focus on 'the blessed ones' .
Today programme of the CCI preceded a formal opening of an Inclusive School, the Centre has planned for the disabled, another first in the district.
Proposed to be named, Malsawm Initiative, the inclusive school is set to be functional in the second half of February next.
The Principal of Lalpuithluaii Foundation School, Vunglallian, has offered to host the school at its campus until they have a place on their own.
The brain child of a former journalist Pauzagin Tonsing, the CCI and the Malsawm Initiative is an outcome of his silent struggle for years.
He had abandoned journalism, his first love for the disabled and began a protracted campaign for them after waking up to the fact that the district is not equipped to train his first son who was sightless by birth.
'Disabled children of our area suffer more than other regions of the country just because there is no facility within their reach to cater to their special needs.
Such children have no life now and no future at all.
Their families too live with guilt, helplessness and stigma,' he said on the absence of specialized education, guidance and support for the disabled.
'We still have a long way to go.
We are planning a sensitization programme for the parent in January, prior to launching of the inclusive school as the parents too need to be sensitized.
But people are coming forward for the cause,' he added.
Maniram Sharma, a disable himself by virtue of being completely deaf narrated his life's history and struggle on the occasion and said, 'I have cleared the Civil services three times, but I was rejected each time for being a disabled.
Before that, I have cleared other competitive exams as well but when I went there to join the service, they rejected me' .