Differently abled celebration

AMPATI, DEC 3: For the first time since the district was created, the South West Garo Hills people celebrated the International Day of the Differently-Abled or the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) at Ampati mini stadium on Tuesday.

The celebration, which was jointly organized by the district social welfare office, the district administration, Bethany Society, SSA unit and the district election office drew large participation of the differently-abled persons along with their families, ngos , nokmas and gaon buras, church elders, district officials, teachers and students.

On the occasion aids and appliances to the assessed persons with disabilities and cheques under Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme were distributed..

South West Garo hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh told a gathering of around five hundred people that the change of nomenclature of the disabled in itself meant empowerment to them, adding that they are no less than anybody, while at the same time giving example of great personalities like Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking who were also differently abled.

Singh questioned why only one day in a year should be set aside to celebrate the persons with disabilities, saying every celebration like Independence Day, Republic Day or various festivals should be inclusive of them. He also assured that the district administration would have quarterly review of the success of the several schemes for the PWDs and ensure that their demands for their rights reach the highest level of the government.

Singh also informed that even the Election Commission has directed that the vulnerable groups like the differently-abled be targeted for sensitization of their voting rights.

Additional deputy commissioner (Election, Ampati) PK Boro informed the gathering that PWDs have not been discriminated by the Election Commission and that their votes were as precious as their abled counterparts. He also urged those who had attained the age of 18 years to register themselves in the electoral roll. He also informed that special ramps for the PWDs have been constructed in all the polling stations as part of the SVEEP campaign.

Earlier, the district social welfare officer Linda J. Sangma highlighted the significance of the day and informed of the various schemes and benefits being bestowed to the PWDs by the state and central governments.

Various games and sports were also held for the persons with disabilities in the first part of the celebration, while the members of the A’chik Theatre and Aradhana, an organization of the parents of children with disabilities, portrayed the importance of the PWDs in the society through their skits.- By Our Reporter