Seminar on empowering persons with disabilities held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2013 : A two-day State level seminar on 'Empowering persons with disabilities: Perspective and Issues' began from today at Manipur Press Club with Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai Devi inaugurating the seminar as the chief guest.

The seminar is a joint initiative of Kolkata-based National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped (NIOH), Department of Social Welfare, Spastic Society of Manipur and All Manipur Handicapped Persons' Welfare Association.

Stating that the Government of Manipur is committed to ensuring betterment of the socio-economic condition of people with disabilities, Minister Mirabai also sought the people's cooperation and suggestion for effective and judicious implementation of welfare projects.

Expressing that parents have to take pro-active role in guiding their differently abled wards be a part of the social change rather than confine them due to physical deformities, she also conveyed that the Social Welfare Department will soon decide on increasing scholarship amount for persons with disabilities.

Affirming that 3 percent job reservation in State Government services for persons with disabilities would be implemented in a judicious manner, Mirabai also declared that along with distribution of certificate to handicapped persons in all the nine districts of Manipur at the earliest possible, efforts would be made to hike financial assistance being provided by the Social Welfare Department to NGOs working for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

speaking at the occasion, Spastic Society of Manipur secretary Laishram Tokendro noted that compared to other parts of the country condition of persons with disabilities is far more better in Manipur.

The fact that inspite of being physically challenged Manipuris regularly taking part in various art and culture activities in addition to excelling in the field of sports and academic indicate that provided an opportunity persons with disabilities of the State are determined to reach new heights.

As president of the inauguration programme NIOH Director Dr Abhishek Biswas exhorting persons with disabilities to strive for excellen- ce in diverse fields reminded that society will eventually respect those who work hard to achieve specific aim in life.

Suggesting that the Central Government launch and implement schemes for the socio-economic upliftment of persons with disabilities, Dr Biswas also observed that whether or not the two-day seminar would be a successful event will depend on the ideas propounded by the resource persons and effective utilisation of the experiences shared by them.

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