Day of handicapped people observed in state
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 03 2010: With the call for respecting persons with disabilities, the state also observed the World Handicapped Day or International Day of Persons with Disabilities like in other parts of the globe.

State Social Welfare Department observed the day as International Day of Persons with Disabilities at its office campus while All Manipur Handicapped Persons Welfare Association observed the day at MDU hall, Imphal.

Handicapped Foundation Manipur launched its 'handicapped welfare month' programme at Mayang Imphal Bengoon Junior High School.

Speaking as chief guest of the observance function at Social Welfare Department complex, AK Meerabai, chairperson of the Manipur State Women Development Co-operation encouraged the handicapped people and said "you should not be disappointed by your physical status" .

Rally taken out on World Handicapped Day

There are so many works that can be done by handicapped people if they have the will.

They possess many inborn talents.

They should explore the talents within them.

Nothing is impossible.

They should keep this in mind, she said while encouraging the people with disabilities.

Director of Social Welfare department, G Seityabati who attended the function as guest of honour urged parents not to hide their handicapped children.

This will harmed the children.

Instead of keeping them confined in the home, they should be encouraged to interact with other children with the objective of making them worthy citizens who can stand on their own.

The observance function was presided by Letkhogin Haokip, commissioner (social welfare).

Presentation of songs, dance and other entertainment programmes performed by children with disabilities marked the observance.

Students of the Ideal Blind College presented the opening song.

The All Manipur Handicapped Persons' Welfare Association (AMPWA) observed the World Handicapped Day with the theme "Give us hope to live".

They also took out a rally from MDU hall to 1st MR gate from where it turned back to converge at the originating place.

MLA RK Anand graced the function as chief guest which was presided by vice president of AMPWA, Gunindro Pebiya.

Zilla parishad member Th Sumati and padmashree awardee L Nabakishore attended as guests of honour.

The association distributed pensions which would be given at the rate of ' 300 each per month to 50 disabled persons.

On the other hand, on the occasion, the month long handicapped welfare programme of the Handicapped Welfare Manipur was launched by MLA Dr Kh Ratankumar who graced the observance function as chief guest.

The chief guest, in his speech, stressed on the need for accepting handicapped people in the society.

They should not be looked down but should be encouraged to extract their inborn talents.

The Sarva Siksha Abhiyan State Mission Authority (SSA/SMA) also observed the day at GM Hall with state education minister, L Jayantakumar as chief guest.

In his speech as chief guest, L Jayantakumar stressed on the importance of right to education under which students who are deprived of education are entitled legal recourse.

He said that education has thus been universalized by the Act making it possible for children, poor and rich, to equal entitlement to education.

To upset the prevailing trend of poverty depriving school education, the government has been distributing free uniforms and bags to raise enrolment in schools.

Our Tamenglong Correspondent adds that Tamenglong's disabled persons also observed World Disabled Day with Tamenglong DC K Panmei, Chief Executive Officer of ADC, RK Ragaisin, District Social Welfare Officer Tamenglong A Kameshore Singh, ZEO Tamenglong, N Jacob, Momo, President All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur as chief guest, guests of honours and president of the function respectively at Indoor Stadium Tamenglong.

The programme was jointly organized by All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur and SSA Tamenglong.

Hundreds of people from across Tamenglong came and participated in the programme.

In the meantime, in a series of out reaching camps the District Medical Mobile Unit, DMMU under National Rural Health Mission Tamenglong today organised a health camp at Namkaoluang village some 29 kilometres from Tamenglong district HQs.

The DMMU had organised such a camp at Taobam village yesterday.

The DMMU was accompanied by Dr Athikho Pukre, Gynaecologist MO DH Tml, Dr Z Kamei MO DH Tml and nurses from District Hospital Tamenglong.

As many as 120 patients benefited in Taobam village while 226 patients received medical attention in Namkaoluang village.

Blood testing, x-ray, urine test and free medicines were the activities of the out reach camps.

Dr Chambo Gomei, District Tuberculosis officer Cum Superintendent District Hospital told the reporter that they did not come across any serious diseases.

They treated common aliments like body ache, skin disorders, cough and cold cases, a few viral fever and diarrheal cases.