Imphal, December 03: In connection with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities a rally organized by the Social Welfare Department and Common Forum for the Disabled (COMFORD) was taken out today.

Governor Ved Marwah flagged off the rally from State Archives Complex and which wound its way through Nityaipat Chuthek and converged at Mapal Kangjeibung.

Principal Secretary Social Welfare Department Raikhan Chibber addressed the rallyists.

The disabled persons who took part in rally carried slogans, 'We need our right to work', 'We need opportunity', 'Help them to help themselves', 'Don't laugh at us, laugh with us'.

Students and staff of Ideal Blind School, All Manipur Mentally Handicapped Person Welfare Organization, Special School for Disabled, Govt Deaf and Mute School, Special School for Hearing Impaired, The Student Welfare Association for the Blind and Ch Ibohal Institute for Mental Retardation took part in the rally.

To facilitate the disabled persons in claiming various concessions and facilities under the PWD Act, 1995, the Social Welfare Department has initiated steps to issue permanent Disability Certificates, Disability Identity Cards and Pass Books.

Governor Ved Marwah distributed aids and appliances to the individual disabled beneficiaries.

He also donated a sum of Rs 50,000 to the fund of Common Forum for the Disabled.

A number of individuals and business houses also forwarded monetary aid for disabled persons.

Addressing the gathering Governor Ved Marwah acknowledged that disability is a global problem and went on to say that the rights of persons with disabilities have been a subject of much attention in the United Nations and other international organizations.

To ensure equal opportunities and protection of rights of the disabled, 1981 was declared as the 'International Year of Disabled' said the Governor.

The Governor said that in consonance with the UN General Assembly resolution on October 14, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 3 every year as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

Today is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the prevention of disability and facilitating rehabilitation of the disabled persons, said the Governor.

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