The
Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the differently
abled children can be the best ambassadors for this innovative and ambitious
campaign ‘Anuyatra’ or walking together campaign – for the persons with special
needs. He was addressing an event to launch MPower programme under ‘Anuyatra’
campaign of Government of Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram today. The Governor of
Kerala, Justice (Rtd.) Shri P Sathasivam, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri
Pinarayi Vijayan, the Minister for Health and Social Justice, Government of
Kerala, Smt. K. K. Shailaja Teacher, the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, Shri V.K.
Prasanth and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The
Vice President said that the programme is a creative way to convey to the world
that these children are not disabled or differently abled but are specially
abled. The allocation and utilization of funds for persons with special needs,
and the social awareness for their integration and care, remains inadequate, he
added.
Following
is the text of Vice President’s address:
“ I am happy to be here for the launch of a creative programme in
the cause of integration of children with special needs in the mainstream. I
thank Hon’ble Chief Minister for inviting me.
Kerala’s progressive and innovative approach to public education
is well known. One aspect of it is education of children with disabilities.
Disability is an important Public Health problem, especially in developing
societies like ours. It is likely to remain a major policy consideration
because of increase in non-communicable diseases and change in age structure
with an increase in life expectancy.
The manifestation of disability, physical or intellectual, also
varies with the social context, and rehabilitation measures should be targeted
according the needs of those affected with community participation.
In our country, a majority of the persons with special needs
reside in rural areas where accessibility, availability, and utilization of
rehabilitation services and its Cost-effectiveness are the major issues to be
considered. Research on disability burden, appropriate intervention strategies
and their implementation is still at a nascent stage.
A UN supported survey had estimated that in our country, 1.67% of
the Population in the age bracket 0-19 has special needs and that 35.29% of all
people living with special needs are children. Other estimates similarly
contend that India has about 12 million children with special needs but only 1%
of such children have access to school.
Persons, particularly children, with special needs mainly comes
under the purview of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Some of
the issues are dealt with by the Health Ministry. The lack of a single focused
institution often results in lack of unified programmes. The allocation and
utilization of funds for persons with special needs, and the social awareness
for their integration and care, remains inadequate.
As far back as 1978, India had signed on to the Alma Ata
declaration on Public health, which, inter alia, stated that
comprehensive primary health care should include promotive, preventive,
curative, and rehabilitative care. For rehabilitation, three major approaches
have been (i) institution based, (ii) outreach based, and (iii) community
based.
The major objective of Community Based Rehabilitation efforts,
with active support of state institutions, like the programme that we are
flagging off today, is to ensure that people with special needs are able to
maximize their physical and mental abilities, have access to regular services
and opportunities, and achieve full integration within their communities.
The initiatives taken by the Government of Kerala under its
“Anuyatra” – or walking together campaign – for the persons with special needs,
with over 20 strategic interventions having objectives ranging from prevention
of disability to sustainable self-reliant rehabilitation and economic
empowerment, is a laudable effort.
These differently abled children can be the best ambassadors for
this innovative and ambitious campaign. There is little doubt that these
special children are capable of tremendous achievements, with a little
additional care and encouragement. The use of magic, to bring out their
inherent talent, is a creative way to convey to the world that they are not
disabled or differently abled but are specially abled; that given adequate
support, they are capable of doing any wonder with pride and dignity.
I am sure that with their unique talents and dedication, these
special children will not only showcase the determination and triumph of human
spirit but would also inspire many others to overcome challenges and realize
their dreams.
I am, indeed, very happy to launch today the ‘MPower’ programme-
managed by the Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM), under the Social Justice
Department in collaboration with the Magic Academy.
I extend my best wishes to the dedicated team of officials,
teachers, trainers, volunteers and all others associated with these projects,
who have worked tirelessly to realize this vision. Your work is making a
positive difference in the world and you all deserve to be applauded for it.
I offer my best wishes to this team of extraordinarily able
children and look forward to their debut performance today.
Jai Hind.”
***
KSD/BK
