Port Blair, Dec 04: World Disabled Day 2012 with the theme- “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all” was celebrated on 3rd December 2012 by ‘Sahara’ the oldest registered association of disabled persons in the Islands at Kalyan Mandappam, Junglighat, Port Blair.
Mr. P.B.Murugan, Chairperson, Port Blair Municipal Council was the Chief Guest in the programme. Dr. Nitesh Kaura, Medical Specialist (orthopaedics), GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair, Mr. I.P.Singh, Junior Vice Chairman, PBMC, and Smti Shanta Laxman Singh, eminent Social Worker were the distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion Mr. P.B. Murugan appreciated the efforts of Sahara in organising such a function in honour of the different abled citizens of the Islands. He offered his warm wishes to all especially the differently abled citizens on the occasion of World Disabled day. On the theme for this year’s World Disabled Day he said that the differently abled people should not be discriminated against and we should work towards providing a disabled friendly society.
Smti Shanta Laxman Singh, Ex-Chairperson, PBMC and SWAB, A&N Islands spoke about the formation of Sahara in the year 1988 with a bunch of few enterprising disabled members and her role in motivating the pioneers of this association. She exhorted upon the members to remain united in pressing for an inclusive and accessible society for the disabled without any discrimination. She further said- this day should be accorded equal importance by all concerned like all other major national and international days’ celebration.
Dr.Nitesh Kaura, Orthopaedic Surgeon at GB Hospital offered all possible help to the differently abled. He further said that differently abled don’t need our sympathy but our motivation and understanding. He said that God helps those who help themselves.
Mr. I P Singh, JVC, PBMC also appreciated the organisers of this important day. He said like in developed countries we should also strive to make our Islands disabled friendly so that they are not discriminated against.
Earlier Smti. Suchitra Roy, President, Sahara welcomed the gathering. Mr. Dhanpat and Smti Kalpana members of Sahara spoke at length about the issues of the disabled. Mr. Sunil Kumar, General Secretary, Sahara, proposed vote of thanks. Song and dance were presented by the school children of Govt. Secondary School Junglighat. The Programme ended with the singing of the National Anthem.
