Reaffirming government’s determination to create a barrier free environment for the people with disabilities, Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, said that an effective mechanism is being evolved for an inclusive survey of the disabled for need based resource allocation and provisions in development schemes.Speaking at the World Disabled day celebration organised by the National Federation of the Blind at residential school for sightless girls, Roop Nagar, the Minister said that an accurate assessment of disabled persons would help make the world a better place for these people.Director Social Welfare, M.H.Bhatti was the guest of honour on the occasion.The Minister said that real celebration of World Disabled day would be to initiate joint efforts to ensure that these people get good accessibility to all necessary services in a more pragmatic manner rather than confining such occasions to mere celebrations. “Such events provide us an opportunity to peep into the past endeavours and recognize our shortcomings for further improving the services towards these special people”, she added.
Sakina appealed the parents to eschew the social stigma attached to disabilities and rather consider themselves special as they have been entrusted by the God with a great job of nurturing these differently abled people. “The parents are the first who can build confidence among their disabled children to face the impending challenges of the world”, she added. She said that society needs to understand that children with disabilities have great potential and if given an opportunity can contribute remarkably in all fields. She said that massive awareness about the rights and concerns of the disabled persons is also the need of the hour besides establishing a friendly atmosphere for the disabled at homes, schools and public places.
The Minister said that the government seeks to empower the people with disabilities besides sensitizing the society for which the common people have to come forward and supplement efforts of the government in this regard. She also expressed gratitude to the Governor and Chief Minister for their deep interest in the issues of these special people who always encouraged her to do everything possible for their empowerment.On the occasion, the Minister asked the Director to constitute a committee for effective monitoring and utilization of donations and other funds in the school.Highlighting efforts of the government envisaging more facilities to the disabled, the Minister said that ramps are being built in various important places besides the matter of reservation for disabled persons in buses is also being taken up with the concerned authorities.The Minister assured the school management that the demands putforth by them would be examined for necessary action. She said that the government would also enhance the number of seats in the government residential school for blind, Roop Nagar at the earliest.State President and General Secretary of the Federation, Sanjay Gupta and R D Dubey spoke about the significance of the day besides activities of the school.A cultural bonanza was also presented on the ocassion.Later, the Minister distributed prizes among the meritorious students including the gold medalist in MA Music, Rahul.