Event Report On World Disability Day, Observed On 3rd December 2019 At Dak Bunglow Anantnag

Event Highlights:

Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline in collaboration with Social Welfare Department Anantnag, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and South Kashmir Handicapped Persons Association Supported by Azim Premji Philantrophic Initiative Tuesday organized a daylong programme on International Disability Day, on the theme "Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities For Inclusive Equitable And Sustainable Development" at DakBunglowKhanabal.Specially abled students, parents, officials of several departments participated in the event.

Summary:

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Khalid Jahangir attended the event in capacity of Chief Guest on the occasion. Other dignitaries such as DSWO Anantnag, Secretary DLSA Anantnag,Mr. Javid Ahmad Tak (Honorary Chairman HWOHL), CWC Chairperson, DIG South Kashmir, Additional SP Anantnag, Joint Director Education and Childline Anantnag team were also present at the event. The event was attended by almost 190-210 guests. Mr. Javid Ahmad Tak while welcoming the guests gave introduction about the World Disability Day and its importance in todays date. He also urged participants and guests to pay attention to the persons with different disabilities. He also added that the disability is not inability but a challenge for persons with disabilities to prove their abilities. We all should remain steadfast to defeat disability and prove our abilities. Any government or nongovernmental organization is not any way giving the beggary but it is the duty of all the individuals, organizations and stake holders to work on collective basis to empower persons with disabilities and work towards creating an inclusive just society. He pressed the district and state administration to ensure participation of persons with disabilities in economic and development works, fee exemption for job applications and establishment of Braille schools for blind persons in every district.

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag while addressing the participants said to create a vibrant society it was important that all government and non-governmental institutions especially schools, colleges, universities, social welfare offices take proper measures for convenience of persons with disabilities, including construction of ramps in government and non governmental organisations. He heard the demands and problems being faced by the persons with disabilities at various forums. He assured the South Kashmir Handicapped Persons Association for providing possible assistance from district administration. He also assured for issuing orders for completion of ramp in meeting hall DakBunglow Khanabal within 20 days. He also hailed the efforts and activism of Mr. Javid Ahmad Tak for rights of persons with disabilities. The chief guest while talking with PWD's said that they shouldn't feel inferior to others and how important resources they are within their families and communities.

Other speaks on the occasion said the day was being observed with an aim to raise awareness about the rights of the individuals with special abilities and sensitize the people about their problems.

District President, South Kashmir Handicapped Persons Association highlighted the issues faced by disability sector and urged the district administration and state government to have empathetic approach towards them and work for their dignity and self respect. He also added that we are hoping that after Reorganization of J&K the central laws pertaining to persons with disabilities will benefit us.

As per the 2011 census, there are over 3.60 lac people, nearly 3% of the state's population with disabilities – 2.8 lac are visually impaired, 38000 physically challenged, 17000 have speech disability and 13000 are hearing impaired. The census report says that J&K has the highest number of disabled population as compared to other states.

The District Social Welfare Officer Anantnag informed that Social Welfare department has various programmes under pipeline at block and tehsil levels. Specially abled students of ZaibaAppa School Of Inclusive Education presented a colourful programme. The Secretary, DLSA Anantnag spoke on the occasion and assured help for all needy persons. She urged the officials, activists and people working in the field to continue working for overall development of specially-abled persons. Mr. Adil Vaid delivered a power point presentation about the various projects run by Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline. He also talked about the Rehabilitation Centre, being constructed at Semthan Bijbehara which will be one of its kind in South Kashmir providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. He added that the building is being constructed with the help of public donation and Funded by Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives. The centre will be thrown open by March 2020. DC Anantnag distributed sewing machines, overlock machines and other related items, 01 fruit cart and stationery items for setup of boutiques and provisional/general stores to beneficiaries for livelihood generation. The distribution was done under the ongoing project of Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline which is being sponsored by TATA Relief Committee Mumbai. He also distributed 03 hand controlled scooties among three specially abled persons provided by Social Welfare Department Anantnag.

Secretary, South Kashmir Handicapped Persons Association gave vote of thanks. He also talked about the importance of independence and how every member of the society should be independent in terms of earning his or her own living.