The Disabled need Empathy, not Sympathy – Dr Ravi During World Disability Day
Mangalore: The district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Women and Child welfare department in association with the District Legal Services Authority, Department for Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens and the Lions Club Gandhi Nagar jointly observed the World Disability Day at the Town Hall, here on December 3.
The programme began with a state Anthem. Deputy director of Women and Child welfare department Sundar Poojary welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the CEO of Zilla Panchayat Dr M R Ravi by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Ravi said, “Every year on December 3, we are observing the World Disability Day which should not be limited for only one day in a year. When we see any disabled person, we show sympathy but in reality, they do not need our sympathy, they need empathy. If we encourage the Specially-abled by identifying their interest and supporting them they will bring laurels to us. It is our duty to bring the specially-abled to the mainstream. Whoever keeps the Specially-abled persons away from them, such people are the real disabled people in the society”.
Dr Ravi further said, “There are a number of schemes for the Specially-abled and the concerned Institutions should make use of such schemes. We need to humane towards the disabled and help in bringing them to the mainstream. Many specially-abled have excelled in sports and brought laurels to our district and country”.
ADC Kumar speaking on the occasion said, “Healthy mind is very much important than the healthy body. The specially abled have a healthy mind and they shine in the national and international sports meets. The government has implemented many schemes for the Specially-abled to bring them to the mainstream and institutions make use of such schemes. Such celebrations bring awareness among the people who work with the specially abled persons. There is also a scheme by the government which gives Rs 50,000 for those who marry specially abled persons”.
Specially-abled achievers and teachers were felicitated on the occasion. Wheelchairs and kits were also distributed to the beneficiaries on the occasion.
Senior Civil Judge Mallana Gowda presided over the programme. Zilla Panchayat officers, N R Umesh, Usman, Nataraj, Chandrika, Shobha P, Dr Muralidhar Naik, Dinesh Shetty, Lion Club members Ganesh Shetty Devadas Bhandary, Lokesh Bolar, John D’Silva, Dr Manohar Hegde and others were also present.
Earlier a rally which was flagged off by the district minister in-charge B Ramanath Rai at the Mangalore University culminated at the Town Hall.