SRINAGAR: Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Srinagar today organized series of programmes on the World Disability Day.
The Minister for Social Welfare, ARI Trainings & Public Grievances, Ms. Sakina Itoo was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The Director CRC, Mr. Hilal Ahmad Parray, Chairman Medical Board, CRC Srinagar/Associate Professor Neurology SKIMS Soura, Dr. Rouf Asmi, Rehabilitation Officer, Mr. Shamim Ahmad, doctors and a large number of differently able persons (handicapped persons) from different parts of the Valley including Leh, Ladakh participated in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stressed the need for serving the differently able persons with a mission, adding it should not be confined to the celebrating day only. She also stressed the need for adopting preventive measures so that the number of accidents/happenings could be minimized however, she called for the active support of intellectuals and civil society in this behalf.
Ms. Sakina directed the concerned officers not to call beneficiaries from far off places to Srinagar, instead organize distribution camps at district level to enable beneficiaries to receive benefits at their doorsteps. She said that the Rehabilitation-cum-Counselling Centre is being established in Kulgam and other places.
The Minister also highlighted various schemes which are in the pipeline in the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which will be implemented in letter and spirit in the State.
During the said programme, the Minister inaugurated distribution camp in which 70 numbers of Hearing Aids, 15 wheel chairs and 08 Tri-cycles were distributed on spot among the registered beneficiaries.
The Rural Development Society (NGO) organized free medical camp for physically handicapped persons on the occasion.
On this occasion, the Institution organized a series of programmes like painting and games competitions among special children, cultural programmes, debates etc.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Rouf Asmi urged that there is need to give proper care on prevention so that most of the disabilities can be eradicated by birth.
The Director CRC highlighted various academic programmes and services offered by the Institution and outlined the challenges faced by CRC. He also stressed the need to register CRC as an autonomous body so that direct funding could reach to this Institution from the Ministry for the benefit of the target groups in full sprit.
The World Disability Day programme was attended by the prominent guests from various Government departments, NGO’s, physically challenged persons etc.