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Rallying for the city’s disabled community
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Mumbai institutions prepare to take to the streets to educate and build awareness According to the Census 2001, there are 2.19 crore people living with disabilities in India, and city NGOs, across the city, are working towards giving them a better life. This year, 700 special children and 900 school and college students will participate in a Prabhat Pheri (rally) from Landmark in Malad to the Goregaon Sports Club. “The rally will raise awareness among the public by flashing cards, shouting slogans and demanding rights for the disabled,” says Dr Hema Dhoot, principal, VD Indian Society for Mentally Challenged. Apart from the rally, other events scheduled to be held are sports events, and an exhibition of products made by special children. This year, street plays will also be performed in six city colleges. “Leaflets, pamphlets, and T-shirts will be distributed to those who attend the events,” says OP Joshua, trustee at Punarvas Special School and Vocational Training Centre for Mentally Handicapped. The theme this year is ‘Dignity and justice for all of us’ and the slogan is ‘We care. Do you?’ The event is a collaborative effort between the Government and the Committee of Disabled Welfare. The government has been taking initiatives, like donating money and providing special schemes for the disabled. “Schemes are of three types: Educational, financial and social,” says Yashwant More, district officer. The National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped (NSEOH) is an NGO in Chembur that will be participating in events held in Goregaon, and will also be holding their own events today. “Three speakers who are disabled will be narrating their experiences and talking about topics like justice, dignity, women with disabilities, and so on,” says Sudha Balachandra, director-general, NSEOH. “The idea is to make them independent. Small things done for them make a big difference,” says Joshua. |