From the States

Bangalore

Coimbatore

Chennai

Ghaziabad

Mumbai

New Delhi

Nashik

Shillong

A mile for a smile!

Apex Co Vantage, a global process outsourcing company, at Cubbon Park on the occasion of Children's Day, organized a funs raising event - 'A Mile for a Smile'. Flagged off by Minister for Primary and Secondary Education R Ramalinga Reddy, the rally saw the presence of popular Kannda film star Sandeep, who walked along with Apex employees and various NGOs. The Apex Foundation announced donations of Rs! 2 crore to fund community welfare activities of Apex-supported NGOs. The beneficiaries in Bangalore include Academy of Serve Handicaps and Autism, Association to People with Disability and Bapuji Children's and Old Age Home.

Source: 'Mile for a smile' rally held in city. Deccan Herbal, Bangalore, 13 November 2005.

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National commission for persons with disabilities

A federation of parents of persons with mental disabilities has demanded that the Center set up a national commission for persons with disabilities on the lines of the National Human Rights Commission.

In the same note the group voiced another concern, that of the Centers ability to carry issues in a democratic spirit - this is probably due to the lackadaisical manner in which the national policy for persons with disabilities is being framed. Since the center listens but does not act upon the suggestions of concerned parties, hence it continues to have gaps in its formulations - like the "cursory manner" in which the policy document has dealt with question of social security.

Source: Commission for disabled people soon, Asian Age, New Delhi, 13th Nov 05

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How people help people..

Twenty eight-year-old Arm Wrestling National Champion Joby Mathew, who is also physically handicapped has won three bronze medals (in the left arm disabled category, right arm disabled category) at the World Championship held by World Arm Sports Federation on Tokyo, Japan.

Joby, who lives in Kochi, Kerala could make the trip only because of actor Sarath Kumar's gesture of helping Joby with Rs 1 lakh for his expenses. The actor (himself a sportsperson) heard about Joby's situation when he was shooting for his forthcoming film Khakhee at Kochi. The physically challenged athlete had been invited to participate in the World Championships, but did not have the money to do so. Sarath read about Joby and gave him the money.

On his return to India, Joby came to Chennai to express his gratitude to the actor at his residence. "I never though I would even make it to Japan. But Sarath's timely help, this achievement would not have been possible. This has given me the confidence to participate in more such events in future," said Joby.

Source: Actor's gesture brings laurels to the country. Asian Age, New Delhi, 9 November 2005.

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Indo-Pak cricket match

The Ghaziabad local cricket team will play a friendly match with the visiting Pakistan cricket team. What is unique about this match is that whereas the Pakistan team is hearing and speech impaired, the Ghaziabad team will be the regular one.

Whereas the Pakistan team has a world record holder in Zaka Ahmed Qureshi the Gaziabad team has Ranji player Manoj Singh with both heading their respective teams. Zaka holds the world record by making 236 not out in 142 balls against India at Rawal Pindi on 02/04/05

Pak coach Mohd. Umar Sayaar is confident that spinner Mohd. Shakeel will spin his magic. The pacers Adnan Gani, Naem Beg and Ushan Guhar will also shine

The Ghaziabad team has Uday Shankar Mishra who has just been selected for the U-15 UP team on virtue of his 8-wicket haul in his very first match.

The Pak team is in Gaziabad for the 2nd world cup being held in Lucknow from 16/11/05. All 8 participating teams will play a local team from 8 major cities of U.P. Aligarh with Sri Lanka, Agra with Australia, Merit with S Africa, Kanpur with England, Muradabad with New Zealand, and Bareli with Nepal, Saharan with Bangladesh and Lucknow with India besides Pakistan.

A total of 38 matches of 50 over duration umpired by International Repute umpires will be held.

Source: Pak ke mook-badhir cricketron se bhidegi Gaziabad ki team. Rashtriya Sahara, New Delhi, 15 November 2005.

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Swimming competition at mumbai

For nearly 40 mentally and physically challenged students from various schools of the city, it was a swim not only against pool waters, but also their own limitations at a swimming competition organised by the Rotaract Club Churchgate at YMCA, Agripada.

The competition was divided into five categories were 89 students from five city schools including the Society for Education of Crippled Day School, Centre Society for Education of Deaf (CSED), SPJ Sadhana School, AK Munshi and Anza Special School, participated. "We were expecting more schools to participate, but as today after Diwali vacations, only five schools turned up.

Overall participation of the students was enthusiastic, as there were as many as 65 spectator students from all these schools," said Parth Merchant, president of the Rotaract Club of Churchgate. The club organizes singing, dance, painting, acting competitions for these special students regularly. Mangalam Maloo, another member of the club, said the students who participated were very despite their handicap.

"There movement in the poll is slow compared to normal swimmers as their senses react slowly. But their efforts to overcome the handicap are amazing" he said.

Source: Challenged kids swim against the tide. DNA (Daily), Mumbai, 15 November 2005.

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Children's day out

It was an enlightening evening - on Children's Day even as visually impaired students from 19 schools performed Bharatnatyam and Kathak at Kamani Auditorium, they made a courage statement - which life must move on despite odds.

"The idea was to not only to encourage the children but also to make people understand that blind also have potential and creativity. Absence of vision is a handicap, but we can overcome it. Can any one make out whether they can see or not, "said JL Kaul, general secretary, All India Confederation of Blind (ALCB).

For students it was an opportunity to enhance their confidence. Their smile and movements kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Every good movement was greeted by big applause.

"It was wonderful to see them move about the entire stage in absolute synchrony either holding bamboo sticks, playing Dandia or carrying lighted diyas while performing," said a visitor.

"Sound is the substitute for vision. Though sight as failed them, the rhythm comes to their aid and manage their flow, "said Anil Aneja, secretary, AICB, when asked about how the students could manage to perform in synchronized manner despite being visually handicapped.

For students, it was a big occasion "We enjoy being on the stage. So far my best performance has been in Italy, when we performed in front are 2,500 people. I could not see the audience, but I could feel them seeing our every move. That was great," quipped Neeraj, a student from Shree Raman Maharishi Academy, Karnataka. Though they cannot see, yet the girl from NFBM, Pune swears by the song of latest Bollywood flick Salaam Namaste.

The event was organised to mark the silver jubilee of AICB. "The organization, which started with a mere Rs 300 today - after 25 years - has an annual budget of Rs 200 crore. This event was organised in collaboration with Light for the World-Christoffer Development Cooperation from Austria," added Aneja.

Over the years, the AICB has been involved in over 24 projects like imparting education to the blind, training, placement and production of materials using latest technology for facilitating the visually impaired. The organisation has 22 affiliations.

Source: Rhythm of sound helps them see. The Times of India, New Delhi, 15 November 2005.

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Fighting to make it

Naga Babu, a visually handicapped youth from coastal Andhra, has made it to an engineering college to pursue higher education. After a whole lot of patience, and a long legal battle, he finally secured admission with the support of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Naga Babu, who hails from the Voyyuru in Krishna district, had an impressive academic record. He was the first visually challenged student to complete a diploma in software engineering and had dreams to complete his BE.

However, he faced his first roadblock when the authorities refused to permit him to appear in the engineering entrance exam. The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University allowed him to appear in the entrance exam only after he filled a writ petition with the High Court.

That was not all. The authorities then withheld his result, while the result of all other candidates was announced. Refusing to give up, Naga Babu again filed a petition with the High Court. When the authorities announced the results, it was found out that Naga had not only passed the entrance exam, but was also ranked 74th.

Naga's admission was further delayed as his case required approval by the State Council of Technical Education. On September 20, an expert committee examined his case and gave its nod for his admission clearing the last hurdle in his path.

Although Naga Babu has secured a seat in the engineering college through perseverance and patience, his poverty remains a major challenge since he does not have the adequate resources to pay an amount of Rs.22, 500 as fee.

Source: Perseverance pays for visually challenged boy, The Pioneer, New Delhi, 21 October 2005.

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Artillery camp in deolali

It was a field day for the 19 blind and partially blind students who had come to Deolali, Nashik for a residential camp, when they visited the artillery Center and the School of Artillery.

The students, a part of the inclusion project by the National Association of the Blind (NAB), Mumabi, were exposed to guns, equipments, tanks, shells and barrels - a world that they experienced for the first time in their lives. The icing on the cake was that they were also shown adventure equipment like kayaks, boats, snow climbing equipments, etc.

Officers at the Artillery Center informed the children about the various guns, their operations, dimensions, etc. The kids seemed thrilled to actually touch the huge guns and tankers. "This is all so exciting", said Neha, a young girl. "Initially I was scared when they fired the guns in a mock exercise, but later I found it all thrilling."

Austin, a young man was excited beyond words when he actually held a gun with his bare hands. "I felt motivated enough to actually join the army," commented Austin who is completely blind. Student coordinator, NAB, Ajay Kumar Rai described the entire experience as a multifarious experience for the students.

"We appreciate the army's gesture to be willing to open themselves to these students. The aim of such camps is to create a general awareness about the blind and their lives. The main purpose of course remains to make these children a part of society and not somebody to be pitied upon."

All these children study in normal schools in Mumbai. They are only assisted by special teachers twice a week. The aim is to make them independent and impart them new experiences and knowledge.

Children are also taught self-protection and encouraged to live a normal life within society and its norms.

Source: Blind kids motivated by the army, thrilled with the weapons, DNA, Mumbai, 10 Nov2005.

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National trust meets in the north-east

Scores of 'beautiful mind' with mental disabilities are without 'legal guardians', being unable to certify themselves as disabled persons under the People with Disability Act.

Prerequisite to having a 'legal guardian' requires getting a disability certificate under the PWD Act. However, its anything 'but easy getting that certificate, admits Aloka Guha, chairperson of National trust (NT) or persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

NT has been enacted by an Act of Parliament in 1999, under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Certification procedure includes specialized testing by government appointed doctors to confirm disability. But lack of will and delivery mechanism in different states has deprived the rights of many persons with disability.

The legal guardians are responsible for the 'care, support and legal assistance' for the disabled. They may be related to he disabled by "blood, marriage or adoption", Guha informed.

Guha said Meghalaya has just "20 legal guardians". But more than two per cent of its total population having some from of disability. If that was bad, consider Assam's case, which has just four legal guardians. There are more than two per cent its total population who are disabled, said Guha quoting the census.

Moreover, most of the states are guilty of utilizing less than one percent of the funds available for the cause of the disable given by the ministry of rural and urban development.

'Project Capable in Meghalaya managed to get Rs 1 crore for Centre. It's self-help group (SGH) for the disabled. This is the biggest project in North-east India sponsored by the Centre. This proves there is no death of fund for the right projects," Guha said.

NT on its part confers legal guardian status in 45 days to persons with disability. Local Level Committees under Deputy Commissioners in districts around the country have the authority to do so under the NT Act, Guha said.

Source: Trust helping people with mental disability. Assam Tribune, Guwahati, 14 November 2005.

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