Is our schools wheel chair accessible?, asks PWD
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kanggui, December 04 2013 : As part of the closing ceremony of the 1st District Level Sports Meet for Persons With Disability jointly organized by SDPAM and ADUSH in collaboration with MANEDA, all differently able persons in Senapati and Sadar Hills joined with the rest of the world in observing International Day of Persons With Disability at the Community Hall of Kanggui under the theme "Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society for all" today.

The observation programmed was jointly organized by Senapati Disabled Peoples' Association, Manipur (SDPAM) and All Disabled Union Sadar Hills (ADUSH) in collaboration with Manipur North Economic Development Association (MANEDA) .

With two beauty Queens namely, Miss Chinneihoi Neihsel, Miss Kut 2004 and Miss Lhingjanei Kipgen, Miss Kut 2013 as Special Guests, the observance function was attended by Ngamthang Haokip, IFC Minister and Nemcha Kipgen, MLA of 50-Kangpokpi AC as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively while Rang Peter, MCS, Chief Executive Officer, ADC Senapati was the Functional President and T.Peter Rangnamei, Secretary, MANEDA the Chief Host.

A part from dignitaries, DK.Thangboi Haokip, MCS, Addl.Dy.Commissioner, Kanggui, President KISH D.Weitsei, Dist.Co-Ordinator Inclusive Education for Disable, Reverends, Pastors, civil bodies took part in the observation.

Apart from honouring the dignitaries with sounding of trumpet, a football match was played between SDPAM and ADUSH at Brig.

Thomas Ground to mark the occasion.

In the match SDPAM defeated ADUSH by 1-0 .

After the end of the match, Tolminthang Misao, a member of Kanggui Youth Union, who conducted game as the central referee, said, "It was hard to conduct the match, I thank God several times before the end of the game and I was so moved that I could not control my emotion in the field" .

"Though disabled, the activities, efforts and performances of SDPAM and ADUSH members in the football match truly signify their determination to remove all types of barriers and to realize full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all" IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip said, while speaking on the occasion.

The Government of Manipur is for the poor and the needy, for the disabled and orphans and the marginalized sections of the society, the Minister asserted.

The Minister also assured to materialize demands of SDPAM and ADUSH as highlighted in a memorandum submitted to him after consulting the Ministers and MLAs concerned as the State Govt.He also donated Rs.20, 000/- in cash to the organising committee of the event.

In her speech, MLA Nemcha Kipgen stressed on the vital role that able persons can play in motivating the spirit of disabled people for equal development and opportunity.

She also averred that the commemoration of this year's International Day of Persons With Disability provides an opportunity to further raise awareness of disability and accessibility in removing all barriers for differently-able persons in the society.

.TPeter Rangnamei, Secretary MANEDA, pointed out that the first world disabled day was observed in Senapati district with only 12 disabled persons in 2002 and not a single elected representative was willing top grace the occasion.

But after 11 years, it has been observed with the presence of one Minister and an MLA apart from other Govt.Functionaries and two beauty queens.

The attendances of all these dignitaries signify their moral support to the cause of disabled people in the district.

However, it is very unfortunate that most of the IAS officers in the state were not aware of the Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995 passed by the Indian Parliament", Rangnamei pointed out, adding that such ignorance has hampered the development of disabled society in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Mangkholun Khongsai, President ADUSH raised a series of questions to the congregation.

"Is our schools in Senapati and Sadar Hills in particular and in the state in general a wheel chair accessible? Does any of the Secretariat building have ramp? Does our buses have reserve seat for PWDs?," he asked, and added that disabled society is still being neglected in Manipur.

In the meantime, SDPAM and ADUSH proudly introduced Mr.Kaifas, Mr.Johnson and Mr.Kaito Peter who represented India in the International Peace Volleyball Tournament played between India and Sri Lanka at Bodhgaya, Bihar from Oct.21-25 last.

The three disabled International Volleyball players were felicitated on the occasion with a gifts.

Mention may be made that Kaifas, who was adjusted as Man of the Series in the International Peace Volleyball Tournament at Bodhgaya, also represented Manipur Disable Cricket Team on various occasions while Th.Johnson has been recommended as Guide of Assam Cricket Team for the Disabled Cricket Tournament 2014 to be held at Lucknow, UP.

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