World Disabled Day observed in Silchar, Tezpur

 FROM A Correspondent

Silchar, Dec 3: The members of Ujjeebon Spastics Society are of the opinion that only love and affection can change the life of millions of disabled persons throughout the world. They were also of the opinion that adoring them will illumite their life. Ujjeebon Spastics Society, Barak Valley, established in 1993 celebrated ‘World Disabled Day’ at 11 in the morning at the premises of Chikitsak Milan Sangha, Bungalow road of this town today. A cultural programme which included, group dance, solo dance, singing, fancy dance and recitation of poems, was also organized in order to observe the day.

 The programme was graced by the presence of Parimal Suklabaidya, PWD Minister, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, Professor Gangabhushan, Department of Social Work, Assam University, Dr Sanjib Bhattacharjee, Registrar, Assam University, Dr. Sujit Kumar ndi Purkayastha, president and also a noted orthopedic, barun Purkayastha, vice president, Dola Deb, secretary of Ujjeebon Spastics Society. At present, there are 35 disabled persons within age group 2.5 to 44 and all of them are receiving vocatiol training in arts and paintings, singing and other activities.  They are guided 8 specially trained teachers who have been working relentlessly under the able guidance of Tantra Dutta Gupta, principal. In addition to this, there are 2 more staffs and also physiotherapist, an art teacher, Bikash Singh and music trainer Pushpita Paul.

 It should be mentioned here that the Society is running on dotion and no governmental help, assistance and facilities have been provided so far for its development. Against all odds, all of the three departments, vocatiol, social and outpatient are functioning smoothly. The aim of observing this day is to shift people’s focus on these differently abled persons. The members have requested that people’s viewpoint regarding these helpless persons should change. A magazine, Ujjeebon was also released by the guests who graced the occasion.

 The members of the Society appealed to the parents and the guardians present that disabled persons should not be looked differently. Rather, they should be treated like any ‘special able person’. They opined that people have to understand their feelings, sentiments and emotions to bring them closer and make them feel they are one of us.

Tezpur : North Assam Handicapped Association, Tezpur, in association with the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, LGBIMH, Tezpur, Department of Social Work, Tezpur University, Missiories of Charity, Tezpur, District Legal Service Authority and Sacred Heart Disability Centre, Gutlung, observed the Intertiol Day of Persons with Disabilities with a day-long programme at the District Library auditorium on Saturday.

The programme began with the iuguration of a cleanliness drive programme by the secretary of North Assam Handicapped Association, Utpal Bhuyan. It was followed by unfurling of flag of the association at the District Library campus by the president of the Association, Mridul Kumar Bora and iuguration of plantation programme by the vice-president of the Association, Riaz Ansari.

A cultural procession participated by various cultural troupes was also taken by throughout the town.

A symposium on ‘Importance on social existence of the differently-abled persons and role of the society and the government’ was held. The symposium, organized with the theme ‘Achieving Seventeen Goals for the Future we want’, conducted by the president of the North Assam Handicapped Association, Mridul Kumar Bora, was graced by Dr. Indrajit Berjee, LGBRIMH, Sister Rose Meri of Tezpur Charity of Missiories, Deepsikha Carpenter, Department of Social Work, Tezpur University, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Deepsikha Carpenter said that all concerned, including the common civil society and the government should stand for the well-being of the specially-abled sections of the society. “It is often seen that negligence towards this section begins from the family. It is very unfortute that a disabled person is given less importance than a normal person or severely neglected, thereby hurting this section. We should stand against such an attitudes” she said, urging the government agencies to get involved with the welfare of the physically handicapped people with sensitivity. Sister Rose Meri in her speech stated that physically handicapped people should not be termed as such as they too have talent in some fields which is not seen in a normal person.

The open session presided over by Santanu Mahanta was attended by senior jourlist Prakash Mahanta, Samsera Hazarika, from Office of Social Welfare, Sonitpur District, CDPO, Rubi Kalita among others. Addressing the gathering, Prakash Mahanta spoke on the importance of the day and stressed on doing the needful for the physically disabled section in practical sense by the agencies concerned of the government. “Simply celebrating the World Disability Day on December 3 every year, we cannot do anything in the me of welfare of this section rather we will have to be sensitive enough in carving out special agenda for their welfare,” he said.

In the programme, people having contribution in various fields, including the Tezpur based jourlists were felicitated. Various cultural performances performed by the special children mesmerized the audience.