DIVYANG HIMELF FINALLY INITIATES ACTIVITIES FOR DIVYANG EMPOWERMENT

Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, June 12: Under the leadership of United Divyang Trust’s Secretary Jalandhar Bacheli and in collaboration with KBK Surakhya and Unnayan Parishad and SAKSHAM, a preparatory meeting of divyang children and their caregivers was organized at Barijhola. There is a proposal to establish a residential ashram/home in Rayagada headquarters to provide quality service in education, health, etc. facilities to some toiling divyang children.

KBK Surakhya and Unnayan Parishad District President Bidulata Huika has drawn attention for cooperation of the district administration, local industry and empathetic people in this noble effort. Prabhas Ganta, Advisor, United Divyang Trust, said that such a project had been started for the first time in the entire district. Initially, this residential home will provide shelter, food and proper health and education to 10 differently-abled children. The number will gradually increase to 100, said Jalandhar Bacheli, Secretary of the United Divyang Trust.

Government of India’s Disability Act-2016, has identified 21 types of differently-abled people. Government has many schemes and promulgated several rights for them; but at the grassroots level, especially the poor are deprived of these facilities. For example, despite the establishment of a railway division here at Rayagada and repeated demands of the Odisha Vinnakhyam(Vikalang) Manch, a battery-operated vehicle(BOV) has not been arranged for the transportation of differently-abled people at Rayagada railway station.

Similarly, despite plans for many years, no District Disability Rehabilitation Centre(DDRC) has been established in the district. There is not a single special school in the district. Dandakaranya for mentally retarded children is yet to be recognised by Govt Therefore, the differently-abled people are still sheerly neglected in many aspects. Despite repeated demands, their condition has not changed much.

But our beloved pro people Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is giving priority to the differently-abled in hearing their grievances.

This is a good sign. People will be aggressively sensitized on this issue. If necessary, peaceful struggles will be organized by the differently-abled, their caregivers, friends and empathisers, said Badal kumar Tah, State Sangrakshyak(Mentor) of  guardian of SAKSHAM, a national level organisation working for empowerment of Divyangs.