Mokokchung, Dec. 3: While acknowledging that everyone has shortcomings, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel said those competent people who do not perform as expected should be termed ‘disabled.’
Speaking at the World Disabled Day 2016 function at MMC conference hall on December 3 on the theme ‘Achieving 17 Goals for the future we want,’ organised by Care and Support Society (C&SS) in collaboration with Mokokchung District Legal Service Authority (MDLSA), the Deputy Commissioner said different abled-persons are the one who can do, perform and achieve amazing things that a normal person could possibly do. He substantiated his statement by citing famous personalities who stunned the world with their amazing gifts.
While keeping in mind the request said by the differently abled-persons, the DC affirmed that he would convey the same to MMC administrator to initiate stair lifts inside the MMC shopping complex to facilitate them. Patel also added that he would personally write to ABAM to facilitate special stairs in churches so that differently abled-persons can have easy access to attend churches services without facing any difficulty to climb steep steps.
Sushil Kumar also underscored need for change in attitude in the society to remove social stigma, discrimination towards the differently abled-persons.
In this regard, he called upon the intellectuals and educated people in the society to spread inclusive equality and humanity in the society.
Earlier, District Welfare official from Mokokchung; Imchawati Kichu, Managing Director of C&SS; Chubala, IED Coordinator, SSA; Lanu Astongchanger, MCBA Executive; Imkongnuchet, CBRW, C&SS; Tekanungsa, president of Ongpangkong Block Disable People’s organization; and representatives from MDLSA and MDPA spoke at the event. Certificates were also given way to the winners of Special Olympics Nagaland 2016.
Dimapur: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Niuland, V Lovitoly Sema, advocated sensitising, supporting, encouraging and removing stigma as four main essences with regard to persons with disability.
She said this while addressing person with disabilities and their parents on the occasion of World Disability Day at Adhoc Town Committee Hall on December 3. Ms. Sema lauded Prodigals’ Home for organising the programme at Niuland, which according to her, is first in the history of Niuland. Terming the programme as ‘landmark for Niuland and a new beginning in working with the differently abled persons in Niuland,’ Ms Sema assured her support to the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project for persons with disability under Niuland block undertaken by Prodigals’ Home. She also urged the cooperation of the concerned stakeholders to make the society more disabled friendly.
The chief guest also symbolically presented a blanket to a disabled child during the programme. Blankets were later presented to all those disabled persons attending the programme. The blankets were sponsored by Akum, proprietor of Crescendo- a music store located in Dimapur.
The theme of this year’s Disability Day was “Achieving 17 goals for the future we want.”
The programme also witnessed a moving testimony by Ms. Ashe H Kiba, general secretary of Nagaland State Disability Forum, who recounted the discriminations she faced in various realms of the society because of her physical disability and on her determination to excel despite her disability. Maong Jamir, Assistant Director of Prodigals’ Home, in welcoming the gathering, presented on disability situation in Nagaland and concept about CBR programme.
Dr. Imli Ozukum, PMR and in-charge of District Rehabilitation Programme, presented on medical perspective of disability. He stressed on the importance of seeking and availing early intervention in case of disability for a better chance at functional recovery. Bohoto, vice chairman of Niuland Adhoc Town Committee, briefly exhorted the gathering and pledged support for future programmes related to persons with disability in his capacity as the vice chairman.
Ms Rosy, Associate children pastor of Sumi Baptist Church, Niuland, pronounced the opening prayer, while scripture reading was led by Ms Vikali, special song was presented by Ashika Zhimo and closing prayer was delivered by Ms. Katia Krichena.
