The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Nethrodaya gets land for a home of its own

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 17, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Nethrodaya gets land for a home of its own

Special Correspondent

Parithi Ellamvazhuthi lays foundation for centre of excellence

— Photo: K. Pichumani

FIRST STEP: Information Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Nethrodaya in Chennai on Sunday. (From left): C.Govindakrishnan, Nethrodaya founder, S.Audiseshiah, PWD Secretary, V.K.Jayakodi, Commisioner for Disabled, are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Nethrodaya, an organisation working for the visually impaired, saw the fulfilment of a cherished dream on Sunday when it got the keys to a plot of land for its own home.

The foundation for its proposed centre of excellence on 6.5 grounds at Nolambur in West Mogappair was laid by Information Minister Parithi Ellamvazhuthi.

Founder C. Govindakrishnan profusely thanked Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and officials for allotting the land.

Mr. Parithi Ellamvazhuthi did not hold back from taking a dig at those who raised objections to providing the land to the eight-year-old organisation. “Those who do not lend a helping hand to those less fortunate should at least refrain from harmful actions.”

He promised the Nethrodaya that his support would be unstinted as Minister and would continue in the future, too, as a human being.

State Commissioner for Disabled V. K. Jeyakodi said the Nethrodaya, besides its yeoman service to the visually challenged, also gave valuable inputs for formulation of government policies for the differently-abled. He outlined the welfare measures the Government had launched for the visually impaired.

Mr. Jeyakodi released a book that compiles the various statutes pertaining to the rights of the disabled and the schemes and benefits for this segment, handing over the first copy to Thiruvallur Collector Rajendra Kumar.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar launched the “Sq Ft Coupons” for the approximately 12,500 square foot plot, an initiative to allow members of the community to own a stake in the project. The first three coupons were purchased by V. Subramanian, a publisher and Nethrodaya volunteer.

PWD Secretary S. Audiseshiah unveiled the CMDA-approved building plan for the Nethrodaya centre of excellence.

Ambattur municipality chairman K. Neelagandan; members of the Nolambur panchayat; Commodore R. S. Vasan (retired), additional director of Observer Research Foundation; and Captain Shibu Isaac, managing director, Force 1 Guarding Services.

Later, Mr. Govindakrishnan said the building would be fitted with ramps and modern skills upgrade facilities to serve the needs of the visually challenged.

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

Tamil Nadu