International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed
Many encourage PwDs to explore their talents and become successful in life
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2018: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated at various places across the State.

The United Nations promoted the observance to the International level and since 1992, December 3 has been observed as The International Day of Persons with Disabilities across the world.

This year's theme is "Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality".

Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Minister Karam Shyam has conveyed that there is nothing greater than humanity and compassion in the world.

He was speaking at the observation of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organised by Mission Blind School at the school premises in Tengnoupal district today.

The great disciplines' of a person are the compassion and encouragement towards the weak, deprived as well as the differently abled persons and enabling them to live a successful life.

He said that awareness programmes, training and other different programmes are being organised at different places to motivate the differently abled persons.

Conveying that many physically challenged children are living in the streets at other States which is quite unfortunate, the Minister claimed that the State Government, NGOs and other organisations have been and will continue to take up remedial measures for the differently abed persons or persons with disabilities (PwDs).

Urging the differently abled people not to feel disheartened, he said they should take examples of several PwDs who are showcasing their talents in singing, hand crafting, farming etc.

The Minister lauded the president of Ching Tarn Trust for extending monetary aid to the students and staff of the school who sought donations from the passers-by for successful organisation of today's event.

He assured the gathering that the State Government and the authorities concerned will extend possible help for the PwDs.

ADC Member Th Joy Lamkang, Kakching SP Victoria Yengkhom and Maring Uparup Assembly president L Modum Charang attended the celebration as dignitaries.

It may be mentioned that Mission Blind School was established Under All Tribal Blind Association in 1998.Students from different places are studying at the school which opens from nursery till class VIII.

Handicapped Welfare Association Manipur State Head Office, Yairipok Top Chingtha Imphal East also observed the day at Khuthabi ground, Yairipok Top Chingtha today.

Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar attended celebration, organised at Khuthabi Ground, Yairipok Top Chingtha, Andro Constituency, Imphal East.

The day is observed to raise awareness about PwDs and encourage them by implementing a number of assistance apart from enabling them to enhance their way of life and remove social stigma.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Minister Th Shyamkumar said that all human beings must accept life as a gift from god.

He said, "By observing the day, we are honouring differently abled people with the objective that we as a society live united as one pursuing for a sustainable and equitable development".

Stating that differently abled people are given special skills/ talents, he lauded them for enhancing and exploring their talents to have a source of income at different sectors and contributing in Nation building as well.

He said as per the initiative of the Chief Minister, pension schemes are distributed to differently abled people and assured that all PwDs will be covered under the scheme.

The Minister further assured that initiatives have been taken up by the Government to provide livelihood and equal opportunity so that they can achieve financial independence.

As part of the function, blankets were distributed to 180 differently abled persons.

The function was attended by K Inaocha, Tulihal Zilla Parishad, Yumnam Tomba Meitei, Pradhan Yambem GP and local residents of the area.

On the other hand, ATDUM also celebrated the day at ATDUM Office Complex, Kabo Leikai, Dewlahland, Imphal East today.

Joint Director of Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Gaikhamsin Riamei graced the event as special guest at the function.

While, president of United Tribal Civil Organisations' Manipur (UTCOM) Dr Gairiangmei Maringmei attended as the moderator of the programme.

Ex-BJP candidate Jonathan, president of Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs' Manipur (FATYCM) R Asing, president of Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) M Tolkham Maring, general secretary of United Tribal Civil Organisations' Manipur (UTCOM), executive members of All Tribal.

Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) and members of All Tribal Disables' Union Manipur (ATDUM) also participate in the programme.

The observation was sponsored by Manipur State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, Imphal East.

Meanwhile, Spastic Society of Manipur also Celebrated International Day of people With Disabilities at Tapokpi Bazar.

The Spastic Society has been felicitating people who had contributed to the cause of disability since 2003 and this year, the organisation felicitated three role model mothers who self-lessly accepted their child's disability and worked for overall development of their physically challenged children.

During the programme, Akoijam Tondonbi Devi of Langthabal Kunja Awang Leikai, Chungkham Hemabati Leima of Chabung Company, Mayang Imphal and Premabati of Sagolband Akham Leikai were felicitated.

On the other hand, Relief Centre for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons, Manipur also celebrated the day at Tera primary School Sagolband Tera bazar today.

Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board as well as chairman of handloom & handicraft Development Corporation Ltd S Rajen, ex-MLA of Patsoi AC S Kunjakeshore, Pradhan of Bijoy Govinda GP Pradip Salam, State Commission for Persons with Disabilities Dr RK Kumarjit, AMUCO president Ph Deban Sharma attended the celebration as dignitaries among others.

Speaking as chief guest of the event, S Rajen lauded the Relief Centre for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Manipur for organising a mela for the differently abled persons and conveyed that it is rather encouraging and motivating to witness numerous physically challenged persons taking up works in different sectors including handloom and handicraft, organic farming etc.

Stating that Manipur Handloom Development Corporation has been initiating steps to promote handloom and hand crafted items of Manipur, he said that the corporation has been imparting trainings to groups of 20 people by distributing necessary equipments and accessories.

He said that the handloom and handicraft items of the disabled people will be taken by the corporation and modified or enhanced so that they can be exported outside the State on the closing function of the event in the presence of Director and Deputy Director of the Corporation, A total of 36 stalls were opened during the mela.

Meanwhile, the observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities cum interaction program was held at Kha Imphal High School Sanglen under the aegis of District Legal Services Authority, Imphal West today.

The event was attended by Romenkumar Meitei, general secretary of All Manipur Physiotherapy Association, A Durjamani, Assistant teacher and S Khogendra Singh, senior teacher as presidium members.

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