JK government contemplating to implement “special treatment for special children” scheme

Srinagar August 30 (Vijay Kumar)- Jammu and Kashmir’s lone woman Minister for Social Welfare, Miss Sakina Itoo on Sunday said that during the past decades the number of persons with intellectual disabilities has increased. She said that it is the need of the hour to train the parents of disabled children so that these disabled persons are able to discharge their day to day activities smoothly.

She was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of  MEDFEST screening camp in Srinagar.The aim of the camp was to screen the Special Healthy Athletes and provide a platform to the persons with intellectual disabilities to display their talent at the State, National and International Sports Events organized by Special Olympics Committee.The camp was organized by Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) in collaboration with Shafaqat Special School, Bemina under Healthy Athletes Programme for persons with intellectual disabilities.

            Speaking on the occasion Miss. Itoo lauded the role of Special Olympic Bharat for expanding  such a noble mission to the State. She said that the State Government has initiated various reformative programmes to benefit the special section of the society. She assured that the government would extend all sort of help to the Organization. She urged upon the Organizer to continue with such efforts and reach out to the remotest areas of the State to attend such persons.

           She said that the government is contemplating to implement “special treatment for special children” scheme in the State which would help the children with intellectual disabilities. She presented a cheques amounting Rs.30,000/- from her salary for purchase of sports materials for these children.

           State President SOB, Dr. Ashwani Jojra in welcome address dwelt in detail about the activities of the SOB in the State. He said that 206 special athletes mentally and intellectually were screened.  He further told that recently same kind of Mega Medical camp “Special Smiles” for oral health was held under the Healthy Athletes programme at Jammu where 400 persons with intellectual disabilities were screened.  While paying tribute to late Mrs. Eunice Shriver Kennedy, the founder of the Special Olympics, said that the Organization would fulfill her dreams by exploring the hidden talent of persons with intellectual disabilities through medium of sports.

            President, Gandhi Global Family,. S. P. Verma said that the unique movement must be strengthened in Kashmir where Gandhiji saw ray of hope. He appealed the people of the state to come forward to make this movement a grand success.. He said that social work was also initiated by  Sheikh-ul-Alam(RA) and father of nation Mahatma Gandhi. He hoped that the day is not far away when Special Athletes would bring  laurel to the State by winning medals in sports events. He announced two awards for encouraging voluntarily social service to  Dr. Sunil. K. Khetterpal of New Delhi and Voluntary Medicare Society.

            Earlier, the function commenced with lighting of traditional lamp by Chief Guest and other dignitaries

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