O P Sharma
Physically and mentally challenged persons have special problems and must be given their due rights, not mere sympathy or charity. This vulnerable section of the society need to be provided suitable chances for education, rehabilitation, job opportunities and prospects for leading a ‘normal life’ by their inclusive development.
Sharp Focus
In Jammu and Kashmir numerous functions are being organized by the official and non-official agencies to focus proper attention on the issues related to persons with different types of disabilities and evolve strategies to tackle for their rehabilitation and bringing them into the mainstream.
In our State disabled persons urgently need a pragmatic Action Plan for dealing with this humanistic task. First of all, a clear-cut and comprehensive policy must be framed by the State Government without any further loss of time and prepare a Action Plan for Disabled. A detailed survey may be got conducted to assess the magnitude of the problem and a high level committee should study all dimensions and suggest suitable measures to ensure their all round integrated development.
Special Steps
The State Government should come out with the legislative, administrative, medical, rehabilitative and financial resources to tackle this gigantic problem. The Government should hold constant consultation with social workers, representatives of the physically and mentally challenged persons, parents of disabled, media persons, institutions engaged in welfare of disabled, planners, administrators , legislators and others connected with their cause.
In the recent years, the very concept of tackling the serious problems of the disabled has undergone a sea-change. The United Nations has recognized that the disabled have a right to dignified life and their handicaps have to be taken care of as a matter of their right. All the major nations across the globe, including India are signatories to this international convention. So it is now obligatory to put in place a frame-work of suitable policy and to ensure its vigorous implementation for effective and efficient results in qualitative and quantitative way of their living.
Full Particpation
I do emphasize that the parents of disabled should join hands and assert for securing the rights of the physically and mentally challenged persons to a decent living in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Disabled persons constituting nearly seven to eight percent of our population are almost neglected both by our civil society and the Government. The incidence of disability is widely prevalent and their total rehabilitation and welfare through various schemes. The disabilities may be due to several factors and causes like accidents, mal-nutrition, absence of proper medical care, specialized education, vocational trainings and numerous other reasons. There is lack of allocations, suitable schemes, dedicated workers or committed NGOs to complement the Governmental efforts.
The Constitutions of India as well as of Jammu and Kashmir State enjoins for the effective and efficient implementation of policies and programmes for the uplift of the disabled, who are vulnerable sections of our population. There is urgency for implementation of “the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Specialised Services
Unfortunate disabled boys, girls or elders are left to their own fate. It is incumbent upon the society and the Government to enable them to stand on their own feet and contribute their share in the overall development of the society. Some of handicapped with rare courage and conviction have done wonderfully well and the history is full of such noble examples. In our State too, the instances are numerous of handicapped men or women having performed extra-ordinary deeds.
Specialized schemes for education, job-oriented suitable trainings and creation of avenues of employment is need of the hour for the welfare of disabled persons especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
There are schemes for providing financial aid to such persons through the Social Welfare Department. But the amount is too little and need to be revised upwards. Secondly, there is more need for emphasis on providing such disabled with specialized schools, vocational training centers, make available avenues of job opportunities in public and private sectors as well.
While the State Government has certainly to redouble its efforts for uplifting the disabled by launching massive programmes and setting up various specialized institutions as also encourage the pioneering organizations engaged in this noble task of welfare of the disabled sections of the society.
Government Must Act
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo must evolve a concrete and comprehensive State Policy for the Disabled in Jammu and Kashmir and give a lead to the entire country. Because of the gravity and complexity of the problem, top priority should be given to this humanitarian task of ensuring disabled their right to dignified life. These people when provided opportunity can also lend their helping hand in overall development of the society. Will the state Government take up the challenging task of protecting human rights of the disabled?
(Starline Syndicate Service)
Follow our WhatsApp channel