In connection with the celebrations of World Disabled Day-2015, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), J&K Chapter, Ambphala Jammu organized an impressive function at Louis Braille Memorial residential school for blind girls at Roop Nagar here today.Minister for Social Welfare, Forests, Ecology & Environment, Bali Bhagat was chief guest while as Secretary Social Welfare, Sanjeev Verma was guest of honor on the occasion.Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that handicapped and other visually impaired people don’t need sympathy of the society but their moral support to live a dignified life. He said these special people are more competent than normal people and many among them have achieved great heights in several fields bringing laurels for the nation.While appreciating the endeavor of the NFB for the welfare of the special people, the Minister said that the organization has been doing a yeoman’s job for the upliftment and rehabilitation of these people in the society and supplementing the Government efforts valuably. He said Government is also making constant efforts to ameliorate the conditions of such people and several schemes have been launched for their welfare and making them self reliant. He said Social Welfare Department is the nodal agency to take care of the problems of the visually impaired people and organizing special camps to provide necessary assistance to them from time to time.
He assured to take all possible measures for the betterment of the physically challenged.Responding to the charter of demands presented by the NFB for improving facilities for the inmates in the blind schools, the Minister said that all demands will be examined on merit and addressed on priority. He assured to provide adequate financial aid for upgradation of infrastructure and enhancing the enrolment capacity from 25 to 50. He said, he has already taken up a proposal with the Central Government for setting up of two more schools for the blind, one each at Jammu and Kashmir which will help to enroll more such special children for imparting education. He also assured to take up the issue of upgradation and recognition of blind school Roop Nagar from Primary to Middle.Regarding co-opting Members from the disabled community in the Social Welfare Advisory Board, the Minister appreciated the idea and assured to take two members in the said body to represent the special people. He also announced a mobile van from his CDF for use by the blind school children, Roop Nagar as it was a dire need in view of transporting the students to other schools for higher studies.
Sanjeev Verma also spoke on the occasion and said that the Department of Social Welfare will take all necessary steps to address the problems of the physically challenged people and upgrade infrastructure for the blind schools for the girls at Roop Nagar.Earlier, the General Secretary of NFB, Ram Dass Dubey welcomed the gathering and highlighted the problems of the physically challenged people. He underscored the need for adequate steps to rehabilitate these special people so that they lead a dignified life in the society. He advocated immediate enhancement in enrollment capacity in the blind school which is run by the NFB so that more such poor and visually impaired children can be accommodated. He conveyed his thanks to the Minister for providing a mobile van for the school.The children of the blind school presented a colorful bonanza of cultural activities which enthralled the gathering.The Minister also gave away mementos to those supporting the cause of these special people and rendering valuable services to the poor.