*International Day of PwD celebrated
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 3: Terming the specially abled people as our real life heroes, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today emphasized the society to play its role earnestly to push them forward towards a prosperous and successful life. He said this, while speaking as a chief guest during a function organized in connection with “International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwD)” at SKICC Srinagar.
Advisor said that many specially abled persons in Kashmir are insightful and talented. He said that despite facing all odds and hardships throughout their journey of life, they have excelled in different fields including sports, education and civil services and have been contributing majorly towards the society. He said their contribution is larger than the contribution of a normal person with no physical disabilities. He said that, “we both as a society and as a Government must sensitize ourselves to know our responsibilities towards them.”
Farooq Khan also felicitated winning students who participated in a painting competition. Specially-abled role models, athletes, players including Insha Bashir and Ishrat twin wheelchair basketball players were felicitated for their courage and achievement in various fields. On the occasion, the Sports Council also awarded a cheque of Rs 80,000 to Mohamad Sultan Rather, a young athlete without upper limbs, who has been selected for ensuing International Wushu championship to be held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Secretary Social Welfare Department, Sheetal Nanda today reiterated the Government’s commitment to support the persons with disabilities so that these people with special needs can feel inclusive in the society. She stated this while addressing an event to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organized by Hope Disability Center in Collaboration with JK State Rehabilitation Council, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Youth Services & Sports, Department of Information & Public Relations, Department of Culture and JK Sports Council.
The Secretary said that as a society there are certain responsibilities of people towards such persons who need support more than anything else. She observed that the Department of Social Welfare is ready in its endeavour to work with organizations like HOPE Disability Center so that more could be done in this direction. On the occasion, many sports persons including Gold Medalists Rakshanda Mehak, Nabeel Ahmad Dar, Vishal Khajuria, Rakesh Singh, Gulshan Kumar and Shehnaz Akhater were also felicitated.
On the eve of World Disability Day, the Global PEACE Organization organized a ‘Mega Service Camp’ for the physically and mentally challenged, deaf and dumb and visually impaired souls at Balidhan Stambh Jammu. M K Bhardwaj, president of J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu was the chief guest on this occasion, R C Sharma (president Handicap Welfare Association) was the guest of honour and Rakhshinda Mehak (a deaf & dumb student who recently brought laurels to the nation by winning Bronze Medal in International Judo Championship in France) was the special guest of attention for all.
Bharadwaj heard patiently the genuine grievances of the physically abled and assured to take up the same with the concerned quarters for redressal and if need arises file a PIL in this regard in the High Court.
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