Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 3
NAGALAND today observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities here under the aegis of Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) at Indira Gandhi Stadium under the theme “Issues of violence and sexual harassment of people with disabilities”.Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar called upon the private industries, religious organizations, educational institutions, besides the government, to provide employment to the differently-abled persons.
Kumar asserted that both and the central and state government joined the struggle of differently-abled.
“While it may take some more time to change the attitudes of people, the Governments and Parliaments throughout the world, have taken the several measures to protect the rights and promote the cause of differently-abled,” he said. He cited that the central government passed the “Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995 to provide 3% reservation in government and public sector jobs for such persons.
He further urged the private sector also the companies and industrial
establishments, religious and educational institutions to provide maximum jobs, may be even more than 3%, so that such people can have avenues for employment in private sector and permanent sources of income.
“To look after these persons is not only the responsibility of their parents but entire society,” he added.
He also lamented that in developing countries like ours 90% of children with disabilities do not attend school and the main victims of crime and discrimination among the disabled are women and girls.
“If we can provide education, vocation training, jobs and economic independence to these persons we would be doing the greatest service to society, to mankind and to God,” he said.
He said the efforts of the UNO and Associations like NAPAD are intended to change the attitude of people and societies towards disability.
“We are told not to look at disability as a curse or punishment,” he said adding that the idea of calling a deaf as hearing impaired, the blind as visually impaired and disabled as differently abled is to change our whole mind set and adopt a new approach towards such persons living in our society as our brothers, sisters and our children.
He also said efforts should be made everyday to make the majority of people understand that differently-abled also enjoy the same rights and privileges as us.
Meanwhile, Kumar congratulated the Government of Nagaland for appointing a Commissioner for Disabilities to cater to the needs of differently abled persons in the state. “This office has been functional for the last one year. I hope we are satisfied with its role and performance,” he said.
He further said the government, NAPAD and other civil society organizations need to work in close collaboration to ensure that the rights of such individuals are protected; their dignity is honoured and all such persons are provided sources of income, independent of what the parents can afford.
Minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie also exhorted the gathering as the guest of honour.
