TURA: The International Day for Persons with Disabilities, was observed at the Montfort Centre for Education Campus with élan on December 3. Proclaimed in 1992 by the UN General Assembly and celebrated ever since, the theme for 2015 was ‘inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people with all disabilities’.
The ceremony began with a short prayer by the Sr Liji and Lucky Begum, Teacher Trainees of the Montfort Training College. The ceremonial lamp was lit by a parent of a blind student of the Marian School amongst other dignitaries.
Additional DC,S.B Marak, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Retd Col Donald, Bethany Society, Valentina Marak, District Employment Exchange, Sushil Das, MCAB, Tyrone D’ Brass, Principal Sherwood School besides other important members from the CDPOs of Dalu, Selsella and Tikrikilla.
Speaking as the Chief Guest of the occasion, Marak urged people to be warmhearted and respectful towards people with disabilities living amongst us. She said that they had as much right as any normal human being to be a part of the society.
During the programme children from the Gabriel School for Deaf conducted an Indian Sign Language (ISL) activity wherein ISL finger-spelling was taught to the gathering.
The team of representatives from District Disability Rehabilitation Centre set up an assessment camp for persons with disabilities.
The District Medical Health Office also set up a camp to display various aids for the orthopaedically challenged, visually impaired and intellectually impaired individuals assembled for the function.
At least 600 persons with disabilities along with their parents participated in the programme.
