JIGMET DADUL
LEH: The Department of Education, Leh under the centrally sponsored scheme Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA) organised a programme to observe the International Day of persons with disabilities in Shenam community hall here on Wednesday.
Additional Chief Engineer MES, Col. Lobzang Neema was the Chief Guest while Gynae specialist and President of MUNSEL Society, Dr. Tsering Lhadol and President PAGIR, Mohd Iqbal was the Guests of Honour.
Briefing the history behind the celebration of this day, Incharge Chief Education Officer Leh, Kunzes said that this day is being celebrated in the world every year since 1976. She said that previously there was no such date fixed to celebrate this day but after 1992, 3rd December was declared as International Day of persons with disabilities.
Dr. Iqbal Ahmad Medical Office Incharge Mental Health appreciated the disabled children for excelling in the recently held matriculation examinations. She particularly applauded Namgail, a disabled child who is pursuing Ph. D. He informed that Health, Education and Social Welfare departments besides NGOs like PAGIR, MUNSEL, Mahabodhi and Rewa were also doing their best to uplift the people with disabilities in Leh. He said that inter-dependence on sharing resources and equipments among these departments is important to provide all round succour to people with disabilities.
“Stephen Hawking is a very famous scientist but he is 99.9 percent disabled. Encouragement is important, giving or getting an opportunity is what matters otherwise there is nothing impossible”, said Rigzin Spalgon District Social Welfare Officer. He informed that his department is providing pension to these persons with disabilities but said that because of the less quota all disabled people could not be covered under this scheme. He appreciated CEC LAHDC Leh for incorporating the proposal given by PAGIR, Health, Education and Social Welfare departments regarding the issues and problem of disabled people in the Ladakh vision document.
Reliance real hero’s award winner and 95 percent disabled Mohammad Iqbal President of PAGIR said that due to initiative of various agencies and change in the mindset of people, the condition of disabled persons has been drastically improved in the society. He expressed displeasure that no NGO or government agency has the exact figures of disabled persons. Iqbal said that they are getting Rs 400 as monthly pension which is meager amount as compared to other States of the country.
Dr. Tsering Lhadol describing the main objective to form MUNSEL Society said that generating awareness about disabilities and consultation of doctors is very important. She requested the parents, teachers and doctors not to discourage the disabled people and asked to always encourage them.
The Chief Guest said that perfectness of a person depends on four factors viz quality of mind, quality of heart, social effectiveness and dynamics.