Shopian, Dec 03 (KNS): To celebrate the the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Social Welfare Office Shopian organised an impressive function at Town Hall. Attended by senior officers from district administration including Additional District Development Commissioner Mohammad Salim Malik and Additional Deputy Commissioner Shabir Ahmad Bhat the function witnessed overwhelming participation of physically disabled persons, senior citizens, school children, media persons and all officials of Social Welfare Department.
Speakers held detailed deliberations on theme of the day ‘Empowering persons with disabilities: ensuring inclusiveness and equality’. ADDC Salim Malik while referring to the theme of the day assured the DAPs that priority shall be given to them under various developmental as well as social security schemes. He said special awareness camps will be held through out the district by social welfare department in collaboration with other departments for enrolling DAPs for benefits under different schemes. He also assured that special tournaments will be held to promote sports culture among them.
ADC Shabir Bhat enumerated prominent persons like Stephen Hawking, Anurima Sinha, Raiyaz Ahmad Beigh (KAS) and other who didn’t let their disabilities to overcome their determination to succeed in life. He said the disability is only a state of mind and not an inability to plan and achieve great goals. He called upon the DAPs to channelise their energy, hone their talents and pursue their dreams.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Dr. Mohd Yousuf Tak spoke, in great details, about various forms of disabilities, their causes and remedies, Social stigma attached with disabilities and challenges faced by DAPs whereas Sayar Ahmad Palla, a member of South Kashmir Handicapped Persons Association highlighted some socio-economic challenges of DAPs and vehemently demanded the establishment of school for disabled persons as, according to him, is the only way forward to ensure equality and inclusiveness of DAPs and their socio-economic upliftment.
Speaking on the occasion, the DSWO Shopian Mohammad Shafait apprised that _a total of 8195 DAPs resides in the district including 15.3% with hearing disability, 16% with visual, 5.1% with speech, 17% movement, 5.1% mentally retardation, 2.9% mental illness, 13.7% multiple and 24.1% with other sorts of disabilities. He added presently the department is providing monthly pension of Rs 1000/month to 3100 DAPs involving annual expenditure of Rs 3. 72 Cr. “107 motorised tricycles, 41 hearing aids, 12 crutches, 5 wheel chairs, 2 walking sticks have been provided to DAPs in last two years,”_ he further added.
During the function, 3 motorised tricycles and 9 hearing aids were distributed among identified physically disabled persons whereas identified beneficiaries didn’t turn up for 3 wheel chairs and 5 crutches. A handicapped student of MFI Pinjoora was also felicitated during the function. (KNS)