Srinagar, December 3 (Vijay Kumar) –Jammu and Kashmir’s loneWoman Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo on Thuresday stressed upon the role of NGOs and asked them to come forward and work for the betterment of the persons with disabilities.
Speaking on the occasion of World disability day at Srinagar in Kashmir, Sakina Itoo focused the problems faced by the disabled persons particularly in the far flung areas of J&K and their possible solutions and emphasized the need of survey for collecting the data in respect of the disabled persons district wise of Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister appreciated the role of CRC for his work done from the last one year in the interest of persons with various disabilities and conducting of such programmes for the awareness of these persons.
World Disabled Day was organized by Composite Regional Centre Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India today in the office complex of the Institution at Bemina, Srinagar, which was inaugurated by Ms. Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare. Director Social Welfare and Director CRC, Srinagar was also present on the occasion. Besides prominent guests from various state government departments, NGOs, physically challenged persons and their parents also attended the function.
The Director Social Welfare, in his speech emphasized upon the deserving persons to avail the benefits of the schemes, disability pensions, etc being provided by the Social Welfare department and said that presently the department is providing financial assistance of Rs. 400 each to 6200 disabled persons.
The Director CRC stressed the need for awareness among the people so that disable can read and write and get vocational trainings and can stand on their own legs and bring them out of the feeling of discrimination among the society and can be part of the normal society. He impressed upon people to register visually impaired children with the CRC special school for education and other trainings.Also a free rehabilitation distribution camp was held on the occasion wherein, more than 150 aids and appliances which includes wheel chairs, tricycles, hearing aids etc were distributed among the needy beneficiaries.
In another function,Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof Riyaz Punjabi Thursday said that service to disabled is a mission to be carried out by academics, policy makers, and civil society with the main objective to eliminate the stigma attached to disablements.
VC was speaking at a two day seminar on the theme “Specially Challenged Community: Problems and Solutions organized by Department of Students Welfare and Faculty of Education, University of Kashmir on the occasion of the ‘International Day of Disabled Persons’ celebrated world over today. Mohammad Akbar Lone speaker legislative assembly J&K was the chief guest at the mega event attended by more than 3000 participants who had gathered at the convocation complex of the Kashmir University to raise the awareness on the rights of persons suffering disabilities
Vice chancellor Prof Riyaz Punjabi came out with innovative ideas to help the disabled and said that we have to make them productive and creative participants in social and economic development. Prof Punjabi said that we need to empower the specially challenged people through trainings and special education programmes so that they can contribute meaningfully to the society. Prof Punjabi said that that quality of education and special care are concerns which we need to addressed while thinking of the well being special children . VC said that it is only through knowledge empowerment that the physically challenged will be able to overcome their handicap to fulfill the purpose of their lives. Prof Punjabi that that there is need to integrate the physically challenged with the society so that they can handle their lives with confidence and not remain dependent on others always.
Mohammad Akbar Lone speaker legislative assembly J&K said he was impressed by the initiatives of University of Kashmir to problems of physically challenged people and looked forward to joint mechanism to be evolved by the department of social welfare and University of Kashmir for a broad based approach to this issue. Expressing his sadness over the ‘impediments’ which creep up while the needy people seek help from the social welfare department the speaker said that the department had to come closer to people. We have seen unprecedented pain and loss and our society needs us ,he said asking for a vital and vibrant role of social welfare Department at this hour. He suggested the government to enhance the monthly stipend of the needy given from Rs 300 to 1000 given by the social welfare department. Criticizing most of the non government organizations for their ‘dubious role ‘ the speaker said many of such organizations are only performing fictitious work on papers only “We need to stop this trend “ said the speaker adding that he would love to see the recommendations of this two day long seminar .
Prof Syed Fayaz Registrar University of Kashmir in his special report on functioning of physically challenged cell at KU said that at KU we are strengthening the disabilities cell created in 2008 and more initiatives are already in the pipeline for creating disability friendly environs at KU. Service of humanity has to be our priority the Registrar said adding that UGC has already sanctioned KU a good grant to strengthen the cell
Prof N .A . Nadeem Dean faculty of education and organizing secretary of the seminar in his key note address said that we have to awake up to the realization of existence of physically challenged and their needs . Prof Nadeem said disabilities is social deprivation also and therefore there is need to create a loving atmosphere for those physically challenged. Prof Nadeem looked forward to the role of social workers, psychologists, educationists and the civil society as a whole to come forward and help the physically challenged in leading a normal life. Prejudice, discrimination and segregation of the physically challenged has to end said Prof Nadeem adding that instead they attention , support and recognition is what they need the most .
The objective of this day is to help the disabled integrate into society by ironing out the impediments in their lives said Prof Nilofar Khan Dean Students Welfare on her welcome address . She informed that experts from major Universities in India are participate in the seminar. We will come out with recommendations also at the end of the two day seminar and approach the concerned quarters for implementation as well, Said Prof Neelofar khan in her welcome address . Associate Professor department of education Prof Nighat Basu conducted the proceedings of inaugural event Prof Nighat said that during two days Kashmir University will take several initiatives to raise the awareness on the rights of persons suffering disabilities in Kashmir
Shaheel Mohammad coordinator Disabilities Cell Department of students welfare along with some other twenty physically challenged employees and students of the university were awarded cash prizes on this occasion by speaker legislative assembly.