Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Be sensitive to needs of the disabled: Governor

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JUNE 24. The ridicule heaped on them by insensitive people is the "worst form of suffering" for the physically and mentally disabled, the Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, said here today, after releasing a book co-authored by an autistic youth and his mother.

Describing the initiative of Krishna Narayanan, the youth, as a triumph of human spirit, Mr. Rao said though there were many disabilities, those relating to mind or brain were peculiar. Apart from the autism-afflicted, the immediate family was affected.

Hinting at the need for people to turn sensitive to the needs of the disabled, Mr. Rao said sharing, as a healing force, would do wonders. Mr. Narayanan, who authored the book with his mother, Jalaja Narayanan, had given hope and faith to all those "similarly placed" and their parents.

Inaugurating `The Autism Centre,' formed by Mr. Narayanan's parents, at the function in Raj Bhavan, he said it would enlarge "our understanding of autism" and provide advice, counselling and relief to many parents of autistic children.

L. Govinda Rao, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said autism was a condition and not a disease and there was need for educating the parents of autistic children. A National Institute for Multiple Disabilities was proposed in Chennai.

S. Mohan, former judge of Supreme Court, said Mr. Narayanan was "a symbol of hope, courage and inspiration" for others and praised his book `Quest: search for a quality life.'

The Municipal Administration Secretary, C.K. Gariyali, said the efforts of the youth were an eye opener and the book would serve as a useful document.

S. Narayanan, father of the author, said The Autism Centre would increase public awareness of autism and facilitate information sharing among professionals and parents of autistic children. Reading out a `message of hope' on behalf of his son, he said Mr. Krishna Narayanan, whose second book was released today, had acquired graduate level education in mathematics, physics and electrical engineering, from home.

Introducing the book, Mrs. Jalaja Narayanan said it gave broad outline of methods, which worked in transforming her autistic son.

The function was organised by the Confederation of Indian Organisations for Service and Advocacy and the Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Hike in coal price pushes up input cost: Electricity Board
• Protest against denial of admit cards
• Resolutions galore, but no discussion
• Govt. moves to boost LPG use in petrol-driven vehicles
• Allotment curbs only to improvement students: court
• Be sensitive to needs of the disabled: Governor
• A rough ride for Nanganallur residents
• Revamping the teaching of English
• Fix excise duty on cotton bales
• Students take pledge to protect nature
• Water released in Tamirabarani channels
• Separate special sessions on July 1 and 2
• Mystery surrounds woman's death
• Around the City
• In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu