AMPATI/ WILLIAMNAGAR: People of South West Garo Hills celebrated the International Day of the Differently-able or Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at Ampati Mini Stadium on Tuesday.
The celebration, which was jointly organized by the District Social Welfare Office, District Administration, Bethany Society, SSA unit and the District Election Office, Ampati, drew large participation of the differently-able persons along with their families, NGOs, Nokma and Headmen, church elders, district officials, teachers and students.
Aids and appliances to the assessed persons with disabilities and cheques under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme were distributed to the PWDs during the celebration.
District Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, while addressing the gathering of over 500 people, said the change of nomenclature of the disabled in itself meant empowerment to them, adding that they are no less than anybody, while at the same time referring to great personalities like Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking.
He reasoned that instead of setting aside one day as celebration for the persons with disabilities, every celebration like Independence Day, Republic Day or various festivals, should be inclusive of them.
He also assured that the district administration would have quarterly review of the success of the schemes meant for the PWDs and ensure that their demands for their rights reach the highest level of the government.
He informed that even the Election Commission has directed that the vulnerable groups like the differently-able be targeted for sensitization of their voting rights.
Additional Deputy Commissioner in charge Election, PK Boro, informed the gathering that PWDs have not been discriminated by the Election Commission and that their votes were as precious as their able counterparts, while at the same time calling upon all those who have attained 18 years of age to register themselves in the electoral roll. He also informed that special ramps for the PWDs have been constructed in all the polling stations as part of the SVEEP campaign.
Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer, Linda J Sangma, in her welcome address highlighted the significance of the day and informed of the various schemes and benefits being bestowed to the PWDs by the State and Central governments.
Various games and sports were also conducted for the PWDs in the first part of the celebration, while the members of the A’chik Theatre and Aradhana, an organization of the parents of children with disabilities, portrayed the importance of the PWDs in the society through presentation of skits.
District Superintendent of Police R Muthu and former minister Dhabal Barman were among others present on the occasion.
In Williamnagar, too, the World Disability Day was celebrated with over 200 PWDs joining hundreds of people in the celebration on Tuesday.
The programme kick-started with a rally flagged off by Minister in charge of Social Welfare Department, Deborah C Marak, in presence of the Deputy Commissioner and other Heads of Departments.
People with disabilities took out the rally around Williamnagar Town with the intention of creating awareness about their rights as enshrined in the Constitution. The Rally was lead by the Minister herself, and participated by the officials.
After the rally, professionals spoke about the rights of PWDs. The function witnessed singing and dancing by the jubilant PWDs.
During the function, PWDs were presented with blankets sponsored by the State Bank of India and T-Shirts sponsored by the East Garo Hills District Administration.
After the programme, three specialist doctors assessed the PWDs and on-the-spot disability certificates were issued to them.