Bensinle Tep & Diepeu Adele Mero
Kohima | December 3
World Disability Day cum Badhte Kadam flag-in function, organised by Department of Social Welfare in association with Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) and co-sponsored by Medical Department and Education Department was observed at the Heritage Village, Kisama today under the theme ‘Removing barriers to create inclusive society’. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu and Parliamentary Secretary, Social Welfare and Women Department, Chotisuh Sazo graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
Diethono Nakhro, Editor, Eastern Mirror shared her moving and inspiring life experiences with the gathering under the topic ‘I am special’. Diethono, who was not born with a disability but had suffered a severe back injury years ago said that everyone is vulnerable. She explained how the role of the family had been extremely important to her. Though she confessed that she was still largely dependent, she was satisfied that she could manage to do things that the doctors thought she wouldn’t be able to do.
Coming to the challenges and issues, she stated that the people of Nagaland are still very narrow-minded and tend to define a person by what he cannot do instead of acknowledging what he can do. She pointed out that disabled people are unable to achieve things not because they have a disability but because of the way the society treats them. She further pointed out that our Government office buildings, schools, public transportation, public toilets, churches, market places etc are still not disabled-friendly which only confines the disabled people to their homes and reflects the attitude of the society towards the disabled population.
Further, she asserted that it was high-time for society to become ‘Conscious’ and speaking on behalf of the disabled population and urging the society to give them a chance, she stated,
‘I am able and very capable and I can do what i want to do’.
‘I may not be able to run but there are two other things that I can do’.
Khevito T. Shohe, Director, Department of Social Welfare on behalf of the department highlighted various schemes the Department offers to the People of special needs. He mentioned that the Department, with the help of various NGOs provides pensions and scholarships to disabled people, while also conducts various District level Rehabilitation camps. T. Kiheto Sema, Secretariat, Department of Social Welfare also added that the Government had decided to appoint Commissioner and Secretary, Disability Department for the Disable exclusively, after requests made by Parents’ Association. Talimeren Jamir, on behalf of School Education Department and SSA, said that under SSA the Department provides home schooling, counseling, Aids to children between the age of 6-18, and Blind and Deaf are sponsored to be admitted to Blind School and Deaf Academy, Dimapur. Dr. R. Zinyu, Vice Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland, also addressed various schemes under Red Cross for the Disabled at the State. The Red Cross society provides special aides sent from Geneva, Europe, under the direction of District Disability Rehabilitation Centre.
Guest of Honour, Chotisüh Sazo, Parliamentary Secretary, Social Welfare and Women Development, in his speech urged every citizen to extend equal opportunities to people with special needs as equal as the able people. He also said that investing for the service of the people with special needs was a blessing rather than a spending.
Chief Guest, Kuzholu Nienu, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, said that this day was an awakening for the Government, having listened to the challenges faced by the disabled, however he also pointed out that such an effort required collective participation. ‘Only when all the people come together in removing barriers, will the society develop into an inclusive society’, he said. He also said that the people are still unaware of the sufferings of the disabled people in the society, especially Nagaland. While he also lauded the organizing committee for celebrating ‘World Disability Day’, and said that such celebration was a perfect opportunity for sensitization and a day for the rest of the society to extend support and service.
At the event, Purnima Kayina, NAPAD Co-ordinator also briefed the audience on the functions of NAPAD. Under the direction of National Trust, a statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, NAPAD had stepped forward in spreading awareness to all the district of Nagaland, for the welfare of persons’ with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities.
School children of G. Rio School, and Cherry Blossoms School, Kohima also presented special song and dance respectively, at the event, whereas the Special Children highlighted the event with fancy dress presentation. Methaneilie, an executive member of NAPAD, also performed some of his hit melodies. The event organizer also presented gifts to all special children present at the event, and the Medical Department issued Disability Certificate, and Social Welfare issued Disability Certificate.
