The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Enabling the differently-abled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 30, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Enabling the differently-abled

Staff Reporter

7,200 people provided artificial limbs, hearing aids, crutches and callipers 7,200 people provided artificial limbs, hearing aids

CHENNAI: Developmental goals can be achieved only when people with disabilities enjoy fundamental rights and freedom as other do, said Governor Surjit Singh Barnala here on Saturday. He distributed artificial limbs and supplements to beneficiaries at the valedictory function of the seventh artificial limb camp organised by Adinath Jain Trust in Choolai.

Special features were in place for the disabled in public buildings and public transport systems in advanced countries. But in India such efforts were in the initial stages, he said. An inclusive society could show its understanding for the physically challenged by effecting these changes in rural areas, where a majority of people with disability lived.

To D.R. Mehta, he said: "You have made a name for yourself by designing the Jaipur foot." He lauded the Trust and its volunteers for instilling confidence and hope in people.

The Trust held a fortnight-long camp in which 7,200 physically challenged people from districts were identified with the support of administration.

Doctors from Kota, Jaipur and Delhi examined the patients, while 27 volunteers from Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, designed the artificial limbs.

Hearing-impaired children were given hearing aids while those inflicted with polio were given crutches or callipers. The entire project cost Rs. 2 crore.

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